Elmhurst College graduate who is blind provides new perspective for students

ELMHURST – Nicole Yarmolkevich, 22, graduated May 30 with a degree in psychology from Elmhurst College.

Like most college graduates, she is on the verge of beginning a new chapter in her life. Containing her composure and masking her fears, she tries to remain confident and excited as the countdown to graduate school begins.

Yarmolkevich said she does not view herself as an “inspiration” because in its entirety, graduating college is a great achievement for anyone. She said everyone has their own story, their own set of challenges they have to overcome, and being legally blind was her own obstacle.

Yarmolkevich explained that at 3 months old, doctors recognized she couldn’t see, but she was later diagnosed with Leber’s congenital amaurosis, a genetic disease that greatly impairs her central and peripheral vision.

And so, “coping” with being blind was not a big deal because she was “born with it,” she said, adding she learned how to do without sight. In terms of studying, Yarmolkevich ditched the Braille books for electronic textbooks with an audio component where she could listen and learn.

It was not until Yarmolkevich got to college that she felt “awkward” and sensed others tried to avoid her because of her condition, she said. To an extent, she noticed other students asked a lot of questions about her condition or referred to her friends to provide answers.

After bringing her seeing-eye dog, Flash, on campus and to her classes, Yarmolkevich became aware other students did not understand the significant role Flash played in her everyday life.

“People don’t know that I know when they pet my dog,” Yarmolkevich said, adding how crucial it was to have Flash focused when “on the job.”

Tired of being the “girl with the dog,” she said she tried a different approach during her sophomore year to help students understand the relationship she and Flash shared.

Laura Wilmarth Tyna, director of leadership, service and engagement at the college, said she worked closely with Yarmolkevich throughout college and tried to provide support for her as she continued to face different hurdles.

“What I recognized was that when she articulated to people on what she needed in order to be successful, she felt empowered about being visually impaired,” Tyna said.

Tyna said in time, Yarmolkevich became an advocate for herself, which allowed her to be a voice for others as well.

Yarmolkevich’s proactive stance to educate her peers included sending out emails, hanging posters and speaking at freshman year seminar classes about the important guidelines when encountering her and Flash on campus.

“Flash is my set of eyes,” Yarmolkevich said, noting that following the rules are crucial to her safety.

Yarmolkevich said what people do not recognize is their relationship is still in progress. She explained the two only met three years ago at Guiding Eyes for the Blind, a guide dog school in New York.

“It was July 4, 2012,” Yarmolkevich said, adding she got her “independence” on that day and did not have to rely on others or her cane to help her.

In 26 days, they had to learn how to be with each other – react to commands, avoid distractions, get used to developing routes – and it was an overwhelming process, Yarmolkevich said. She added their relationship is complicated because the boundaries where Flash has to work or can act as a “normal” pet are blurred.

Yarmolkevich added a large part of their relationship is taking the time to develop that bond where they both can understand each other symbiotically, and that’s something still in progress, especially since Flash gets bored easily with daily routines.

Flash, too, didn’t always enjoy attending classes and sometimes led her to other buildings to avoid those classes, she said.

Now, Yarmolkevich and Flash are about to embark on a new adventure together with graduate school only a few months away. She said the decision to attend Illinois State University was mostly driven by the school’s program.

She added most parents, of course, are weary of their children going away, but she wouldn’t do something she’s not comfortable with.

While she anticipates the process of familiarizing herself with the new campus, classes and people will be something to endure, Yarmolkevich said this is just another step she has to take on her own.

“I have to be there for myself,” she said, adding that is a lesson learned and the key to knowing how to help others curb their own challenges.