Sport management student receives UGA Disability Resource Center scholarship

When Tyler Farmer started his freshman year at the University of Georgia, he was intimidated by the transition from high school to college. Farmer has cerebral palsy, a disorder of movement, muscle tone or posture that affects fine motor skills and makes everyday tasks a challenge.

Now four years later, Farmer said college has helped him become more independent and comfortable in his own skin.

"I would consider myself to be a normal college kid who just has to do things a little bit differently than most people," he said. "My disability won't stop me from achieving my dreams."

Farmer was one of 29 UGA students recognized at the Disability Resource Center's annual reception on Oct. 18 in the Grand Hall of Tate Student Center. The DRC is part of the Division of Student Affairs.

Farmer, a fourth-year sport management major in the College of Education's department of kinesiology and a marketing major in the Terry College of Business, was one of three recipients of the Gregory Charles Johnson Scholarship.

After graduation, Farmer plans to manage social media for a professional sports franchise, and he thanked the Johnson family and their friends for the scholarship that helped him in his final year at UGA.

"A common question people ask me is what's the biggest piece of advice you'd give to a younger child who also has CP?" Farmer said. "Find the people who love you for who you are and the people who see you instead of a wheelchair. And for that, I can thank many people."

The DRC assists more than 1,900 UGA students a year, providing them with help navigating campus, extra time on tests, note-takers or anything else students might need to succeed.

"You have exhibited your strength, resilience and commitment," said Bill McDonald, dean of students at UGA. "You have defined who you are, not by what has happened to you, but by how you have reacted daily to what has happened to you and how you will use that to learn, grow, teach and help others overcome whatever obstacles they are facing."