Microsoft Project Manager Jennifer Rosario spoke to a crowd of about 20 people at CSU East Bay on Friday about her struggle to overcome adversity.

“I feel very strongly that if I can do it, pretty much anybody can,” Rosario said.

Rosario shared insights and tips to the crowd inside the New University Union about thriving in her life despite living with a disability.

Rosario is totally blind in one eye and has very limited vision in the other.

During her speech, Rosario had three tips for her audience on how to live life. Her first tip was to “have a support system.”

“I rely [on] my friends and family to give me a ride. I don’t even have to ask them because they want to help me, so it’s usually a nonissue,” declared Rosario.

Rosario also mentioned how she had difficulty seeing the chalkboard in school.

“Luckily, I had teachers who were sensitive to my needs,” Rosario said. “I was also lucky to have a part time aid to help me through certain tasks.”

Rosario’s second tip of the night was to “focus on your strengths.”

“It’s best to focus on your strengths and what you enjoy, instead of focusing on your weaknesses,” Rosario said. “You will put a lot of effort into trying to fix your weaknesses and you may or may not succeed.

But if you focus on your strengths, your probability of being successful and happy is a lot higher.”

The third tip Rosario had for everyone was “always have the right tools.”

“When I travel I always carry a few extra tools in my computer bag; one of them is a monocular lens […] it comes in handy when I need to read signs at an airport or a menu at a fast food restaurant,” expressed Rosario.

She also encouraged the audience to be able to ask for help.

Rosario told the group about how she struggled in her first career as a teacher because she had difficulty seeing the disruptive and misbehaving students.

“Looking back, I realize that I could have had a classroom aid full time,” Rosario said. “I should have been more aware of what my resources and rights were and I should have asked for help.”

Rosario spoke from experience about overcoming pride and urged the crowd to ask for help when needed.

“If someone offers you help you should take it,” Rosario said. ”I know sometimes you might feel too proud to take the help but in the short run and long-run it will make your life a lot easier.”

Kim Flomenhoft of Project IMPACT coordinated the event in order to help educate the community at CSUEB about students with disabilities and the challenges they face.

“I don’t think there is enough disability awareness,” Flomenhoft said.

Though the awareness may not be where Flomenhoft wants it to be, those involved believe the program has been successful.

“We’ve had great success in keeping students [with disabilities] in college and helping them graduate,” said Assistive Technology instructor Natarian Ouliaei.

“I honestly don’t think I could have done as well as I have if it wasn’t for College Link and Project IMPACT,” said 19-year-old sophomore Kern Wallace, who has Asperger’s syndrome and ADHD. “It has made the transition a lot easier for me.”

“I have given myself tools, I have a great support system, and I play to my strengths,” Rosario said. “I encourage you to get a tool kit if you don’t have one, focus on your strengths, nurture your support system, and be supportive back.”