‘I am the first woman in my family to pursue post-secondary education’

Learners Like No Other is a new series where real students and alumni share how online learning at AU is like no other university experience. Submit your story.

Fela Waddy
Bachelor of Professional Arts, Human Services Major
📍 Calgary, Alta.

Why was online learning at Athabasca University the right fit for you?

As someone with autism and the mother of two small children, including one with disabilities, I found that online learning was the best fit for me to accommodate my needs and those of my children. I prefer to go at my own pace.

How has studying at AU helped you achieve your goals—personal, professional, academic?

Since my diagnosis of autism and my son's diagnosis, I have felt I can bring much to the table when it comes to disabilities and advocacy. I want to help other families dealing with disabilities and support them through this new path that they are on. It can feel overwhelming and a helping hand is necessary.

Not only is my program at AU helping to prepare me to be that support for others, but it has also helped me grow personally in awareness and understanding of others in their intersectional identities; it has helped me see the world around me in new ways.

What obstacles have you had to overcome to pursue your education? How did you overcome them?

I come from Colombia. I could not study post-secondary education there because my family could not afford it. That was more than 18 years ago. When I finally moved to Canada in 2007, I had to work hard as a live-in caregiver to apply for my residency. I eventually obtained my citizenship and found the love of my life, whom I married, but I still couldn't afford to go to school.

Due to my family's past economic struggles, I was strongly opposed to going into debt. Once I discovered my autism diagnosis, I decided to go to Bow Valley College in Calgary to pursue a college degree. Not only did I complete the disability studies program, but it also motivated me to pursue a university degree.

After much financial consideration, and thanks to student aid, I am here studying at Athabasca University in the little time I have during the day while the kids are at school and in between errands and during weekends when necessary. I am the first woman ever in my family to pursue post-secondary education.

I want to help other families dealing with disabilities and support them through this new path that they are on.

Fela Waddy, Bachelor of Professional Arts, Human Services Major

How do you balance your studies with other responsibilities like work or family?

It can be tricky sometimes as a stay-at-home mother to find balance for my studies and all the other responsibilities I have related to my children's school, my son's disabilities, managing a home, and finding time for self-care for my well-being, especially when issues appear unexpectedly. But I have learned to be flexible with the way I manage my time to make it work.

Who is your biggest cheerleader that helps you stay focused on your goals?

Everyone in my close circle! My family, my extended family, my relatives, and my friends. They all understand how much it means to me to be able to study for a university degree, as it has always been a goal of mine.

What's your favourite course?

So far it has been Social Work and Human Services (HSRV 201) but everything related to Indigenous studies has been very interesting and eye opening.

What are your plans for the future, after completing your AU program?

If possible, I would like to go back to work with Renfrew Educational Services as a family support worker, but I am open to wherever life wants to put me—as long as I can help and make a difference in someone’s life.

How is your AU education different than what you've experienced previously? (a.k.a. How is AU like no other?)

It’s definitely more demanding than other study experiences, but I have enjoyed each course. It’s fantastic how all of them have implemented education from an Indigenous perspective, which has created a lot of awareness in areas I did not realize before.