Emma Collington (she/her), a University of Waterloo PhD student in molecular genetics.
Waterloo alumni's experience with disability and the power of community inspire the creation of STEM with Disabilities
The impact of community can often be overlooked or dismissed. As undergraduate students in the Faculty of Science, Emma Collington (BSc ’19, MSc ’22) and Samantha Fowler’s (BSc ’19) experiences as students with disabilities drew them together, and inspired them to build a community.
Collington lives with a genetic connective tissue disease that causes her joints to dislocate and affects all her organs. While navigating university, Fowler was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder and depression, as well as living with chronic pain and experiencing other temporary, debilitating injuries. Collington and Fowler have known each other for more than 20 years, having first met when they were six years old at a local dance studio when they graced the stage in matching zebra unitards. They later reconnected at the University of Waterloo. Although their disabilities differ, they found validation and support in sharing their experiences.
To learn more, please visit Amplifying diverse voices in STEM on Waterloo News.