Test day surprise was no match for Melissa

For some, knowledge is power. For Melissa Chiarini, knowledge is the power to heal. Seriously injured in a sledding accident 10 years ago, the now 25-year-old Schenectady resident cites learning about her traumatic brain injury and subsequent stroke as giving her "new tools to solve my problems." Coupled with a can-do attitude and a "drive to do stuff," Chiarini's pursuit of knowledge equipped her to pass the exam for her New York State General Equivalency Diploma (GED) on the very first try - despite a surprise on test day.

While Chiarini was permitted to have testing accommodations of extended time, a talking calculator, and questions recited to her due to her brain injury, "they hadn't told us we'd have to operate a tape recorder," she recalled.

"This was the first time testing accommodations were needed, and it was assumed that there would be a reader or someone to run the GED exam audiotape," said Patricia Sharer, a Capital Region BOCES Adult Education teacher. Sharer teaches GED at Belvedere, a Traumatic Brain Injury Center, in Albany, where Melissa attended class. "Yet Melissa earned her GED the very first time she took the test." Sharer added that due to Melissa's brain injury and stroke, "She started out in our class with a 12.9 grade level in math, but only a 9th grade reading level. But Melissa's motivation was strong. She worked tirelessly in school and at home."

"I had the drive to take the test and do things," said Chiarini. "I wish everyone was motivated to 'do' and to not just watch TV."

"People with intrinsic motivation are the ones who are successful," said Sharer.

"Slow and steady" is how Chiarini describes her progress from being a Saugerties teenager able to speak just one or two words after sledding into a guardrail during a snowstorm, to a GED grad whom: has worked as a Ronald McDonald House volunteer, is looking for a part-time job, and is taking a public speaking course at the College of St. Rose, Albany. At St. Rose, Chiarini also participates in a stroke support group and is strengthening her career skills. During the years following her accident, Chiarini worked with rehabilitation professionals in Michigan, New Hampshire and New Jersey, where she continues to travel monthly for physical therapy. She also works with staff at Belvedere, and she is still welcome in Sharer's class there.

Chiarini enjoys living independently in her own apartment, which she secured through Living Resources, a Capital Region organization that assists people with disabilities including traumatic brain injury. She currently works with a neuropsychologist to "get different tools for being in the real world and real life."

Understanding what happened to her brain after her accident and stroke was the key to real progress for Chiarini. "For almost seven years, I was really not aware of my brain injury," she related. "But now, instead of just wanting to go back [in time, to before the sledding accident], I know I can still do things, but through other activities and other tools, like books on tape. I know I can do it - I passed the GED test!"

Even after conquering the exam and its self-operated tape recorder, Chiarini was eager to immediately take on new challenges. "My friend had a little party for me for passing the test, but I thought 'all right, I'm on to the next thing'. I'm never just happy. I want more plans. I want to go to college now at Hudson Valley Community College or Schenectady County Community College for culinary arts or event planning."

The Belvedere Brain Injury Program is one of many places where the Capital Region BOCES Adult Education program offers GED and other classes. To learn more about Adult Education and the Capital Region BOCES Career & Technical School, visit www.bocescareertech.org.

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