Student spotlight: Beyond words
What was a challenge in early childhood for Gabriela Sanchez has become a lifelong passion.
Growing up, the UGA senior had trouble talking and being understood. Luckily, she found the help she needed and is ready to make it come full circle.
“I had speech therapy when I was really young, so I know how important it is,” said Sanchez, who studies American Sign Language and Spanish. “Now, it’s fascinating learning about language and teaching it because it’s something I feel that we take for granted. We do it every day. It seems subconscious, but language is much more than just words. It’s understanding people themselves.”
It’s not easy to overcome those barriers, Sanchez said. Now, drawing on her studies and an upcoming degree in communication sciences and disorders, she can help those who feel like the challenges are insurmountable.