Post by Radboud University

"Two years ago, I was diagnosed with several invisible disabilities, and I could no longer do things that had previously come naturally to me. My studies fell behind and I felt misunderstood. At the same time, having access to diagnoses finally allowed me to construct my studies in a way that works for me. There were no local, English-speaking support groups for young people with disabilities. I therefore set up a WhatsApp community for (international) students at Radboud University and HAN University of Applied Sciences.   There are now over 300 people in the Sunflower community. Students with (invisible) disabilities or chronic pain, neurodivergent students, students with learning disabilities, as well as students who do not have health issues themselves but want to connect with fellow students.   It’s an informal community. A place where we give each other local advice, offer support during difficult times, or just catch up. Together with volunteer administrators, we also organise online or in-person events, from film nights to group study sessions.   Recently, I was flaring up and my mobility became very limited. I reached out to the community, and immediately felt supported and understood. I have met amazing people who help me live my student life in an accessible and enjoyable way. Some students can’t leave their homes due to their conditions, but through the community, they can remain connected to local resources and other students. We offer each other support because many of us can relate to the experience of navigating systems that were not built with disabilities in mind.   My hope is that we can welcome even more students. Personally, I probably wouldn’t have been able to keep up with my studies without the community, whereas now I feel like I can successfully accommodate my support needs. I want other students to experience that too."   - Juliana Waloschek, psychology student at Radboud University and founder of the RU/HAN Sunflowers Community   #WeAreRadboud