Originally Posted by
Kendra Velzen's Response To GL Member "Thank you for your support, I glanced over the comment area and I'd love to clear a few things up. Maybe you can post this for me?
I am a 28 year old student who lives in a single occupany efficiency. I did not bring my piggy onto campus until the school gave me the ok to do so, which took two months of haggling, and flat out discrimination against my non physical disability. Blanca was a medically prescribed therapy animal who helps me deal with my chronic depression and a heart condition I was diagnosed with a little over a year ago. There is a federal law protecting my right to have a therapy animal with me where ever I choose to live. This is because having her around helps me with physiological things, such as lowered blood pressure. I LOVED Blanca, and it's true, she passed away. I did end up replacing her with a new piggy, who's name is Paprikash. It's wonderful to be able to come back and sit by his cage and pet him and hold him. It really just makes things better.
I tried to advocate for myself with the school, and they gave me the run around. I ended up going to fair housing and they were the ones who mediated the next round of advocation. GVSU refused to budge on their position, even when they started to realize that they were in the wrong. They wanted to issue all kinds of extra rules, unlawful ones. I had no intention of taking my piggy to class with me, or food service areas. I just wanted her in my dorm, and be able to use the whole dorm building like other students. But they wanted to have me go through their system of therapy, which is terribly unlawful, especially considering I had already shared way more of my medical information than I needed to to try and advocate for myself.
The only reason this has progressed as far as it has, is because on top of discriminating against me, they also admitted to having turned down other students who have put in similair requests for companion animals. I live on campus while I go to school, because it provides me with the best environment to succeed. And having Blanca/Paprikash with me as well makes my chances of success that much greater.
I have received a lot of bigotry for my request. A mental disability is still a disability, it's just one that is usually not as visible to the naked eye. I have an amazing support network who has helped me through this, but finally being allowed to have my piggy on campus with me was such a huge relief. I wish there was an easier way to explain it, but I hope this gives you an idea of what my case is truly about.
Kendra Velzen"
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