Ramona Moore

At 41, Ramona Moore had two heart valve replacements and suffered a stroke. Before the year was over, she would lose her vision completely. For the longtime property manager, things were now clear. She had no time left to waste. She knew it was time to complete her education.

Relying on physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy to overcome partial paralysis caused by the stroke, Ramona learned to navigate her way through life again thanks to the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind. Then she returned to Miami Dade College to complete an associate’s before enrolling at FIU.

While studying psychology at FIU, Ramona was still finding her career path. There was a time she thought about pursuing a career in industrial and occupational psychology. Then, she heard Rehabilitation Counseling Associate Professor Valerie Russell describe how people in the rehabilitation counseling field help those with disabilities find work and lead productive lives.

Ramona reflected on all the people who have helped her along her journey — the one she began after 2015. Since she had been through the system herself, she knew where it fell short.

Ramona graduated with a bachelor’s in psychology in 2020. She’s now enrolled in the Rehabilitation Counseling master’s program. And when she graduates, she’s confident she can help others with disabilities find work and lead fulfilling lives. After all, she did it herself.

By Chrystian Tejedor
Account Manager
College of Arts, Sciences & Education

Nominated by Chit Yuen Yi