I keep taking courses. I no longer have the stamina to read all night, to negotiate the long walks between classes or to spend hours writing without rest. I take classes part-time now, and in this way I hope to avoid the fatigue and despair that result when I get overtired.

I face other difficulties as well, as I have severe allergic reactions to sexism, racism, classism and homophobia. The only antidote is to voice my objections to these poisons-a task that sometimes takes more stamina than I actually have. I face the choice between suffering in silence or expending my precious energy to challenge these attitudes.

Getting an education may take me five times as long, but I have learned five times as much on the way. I'm glad I didn't settle for being merely average. it is difficult (and some might say impossible) to challenge a system from within, but I think it is worth trying. University life is supposed to build character, and develop self-discipline. in my case, it has developed unabashed determination. Coupled with my natural love of learning, I am bound to graduate. An average woman student with a disability who failed to give up!

Pauline Rankin is a thirty-nine year old lesbian with a disability. She is currently working as the information officer for DAWN Canada, and working towards and English and Women's Studies degree at Simon Fraser University.