Support Group Support Group Eases College Experience for Students with Learning Disabilities Feeling alone. Feeling swamped by the issues that sometimes overwhelm students with learning disabilities during their college years. These are the concerns Samantha Abeel '00 and Jessica Bianco '00 had in mind when they started a new support group last year for students who learn differently.
Body is assistant dean of the college for learning skills.
Abeel came to Mount Holyoke already experienced in advocating for people with learning disabilities. At fifteen, she published a book of poetry and art about living with learning disabilities called Reach for the Moon , and has traveled extensively, speaking about learning disabilities to many audiences, including on television. An articulate spokesperson, Abeel knows how to convey what it's like to live with learning disabilities and master the highs and lows that come along with them. The group provides a place to feel supported by each other. The aspect of learning disabilities that is the most troubling is the sense of isolation.