At Visions, we are proud to support all students and help them succeed in their learning journey. For Ella W., senior in the Independent Study Academy, this support was crucial in navigating their own challenges and making strides to graduate.
Ella joined Visions two years ago as a sophomore. Prior to enrolling, Ella transitioned from traditional public school to their previous district’s online program, where they struggled due to limited teacher connection and minimal direct instruction.
In searching for a program that would provide increased support while simultaneously allowing the flexibility to navigate their unique needs, Ella and their family found Visions. “It has been like a night and day difference,” they shared.
Since childhood, Ella has struggled with joint and muscular pain, minor dislocations, balance, and fatigue. After seeing several doctors and receiving many misdiagnoses throughout the years, Ella was finally diagnosed with hypermobile type Ehlers Danlos Syndrome at 14 years old.
Those who live with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome cannot correctly process the collagen required to keep the connective tissues found throughout the body healthy, which can lead to many difficult symptoms. “This condition sincerely changes everything about your body and goes much deeper than you can learn from a surface websearch,” Ella shared. “It impacts every function and part of your body you can think of, bones, muscles, organs, teeth, nails.”
The path to getting their official diagnosis was a difficult one, and Ella is passionate about advocating for themself and others who struggle with the disability and may not know it. “Many others go through the same experience, not knowing a life without it, not knowing their body is so different. It is more often than not a completely invisible disability that still faces stigma and lack of research,” they explained. The exact cause of the condition is still unknown, but Ella credits the work and advocacy of the non-profit organization The Ehlers Danlos Society for doing their best to teach and find treatment for those who are struggling.
Looking to the future, Ella is passionate about entering the medical field and understanding more about the complex parts of the human body. After graduating from Visions, Ella plans to enter Sierra College’s general Allied Health program for dental hygiene, and down the road aspires toward a master’s degree in social work.
Coming to Visions, Ella found the flexibility and support needed to be successful in school while navigating their disability, as well as the loss of their mother.
“I have felt consistently supported by [my teacher and counselor] academically and emotionally throughout my years at Visions. I have had Mrs. Ellman and Ms. Rosales in my corner through everything to help me understand what I need to do to move forward with my education,” they shared.
“They have been able to navigate [unique challenges] with strength and grace. Despite the odds, Ella will graduate from high school on time with good grades,” said Mrs. Ellman, Ella’s teacher.
On top of finding success educationally, Ella has had the opportunity to grow personally by exploring their interests, including reading new and classic literature, doing archery, playing video games, and learning new languages. They also worked through Visions’ Enrichment Vendors to start on their driver’s education without the pressure of costs and applications.
When asked what advice they would share with someone considering Visions, Ella stated:
“I truly do not think I would be graduating this year, on time, without Visions and their help. Before I enrolled, I considered dropping out [with] the fear that I’d never make it, but younger me has been proven completely wrong. It would be my first recommendation to anyone looking for an alternative education for any reason at all.”
