SAYREVILLE – A young woman from Sayreville has been honored for her courage, determination, confidence and spirit while coping with her disability.
Rutgers University student Carly Hewitt was honored by Advancing Opportunities, Inc. at its annual spring hoedown in April, receiving the Andrew J. Murphy Award.
Hewitt has spinal muscular atrophy, a neuromuscular disease that renders her unable to move any of her muscles or breathe independently, according to information provided by Advancing Opportunities.
Assistive technology refers to a piece of equipment or environmental adaptation that helps a person with a disability achieve a goal. In order to complete her schoolwork, Advancing Opportunities’ Assistive Technology Center introduced Hewitt to eye gaze technology. Working with specialist Jeannette VanHouten, she learned to use the technology to communicate and operate her computer.
“I use an eye gaze computer system to do everything in life,” Hewitt said. “It is my lifesaver. I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t have the opportunity to use it.”
Hewitt relies on a wheelchair and a ventilator, but that is not stopping her from pursuing a degree in psychology from Rutgers. Inspired by her first grade teacher, she plans to pursue a career in the field of education, ideally as a learning disabilities teacher consultant or a curriculum writer.
“Carly is one shining example of the mission of Advancing Opportunities at work,” the organization’s CEO Jack Mudge said in the statement. “Our team works every day to make things that were once impossible possible for people with disabilities, but our work would be nothing without the determination and courage of people like Carly.”
