Dedication to education

Born without arms, 32-year-old Jose Villa said his disability hasn't kept him from doing anything. In fact, Villa is able to successfully write, eat, get dressed, use his phone, and drive – all with his feet.

"What's the hardest task for me? Nothing," said Villa.

Villa was born with a heart condition, needing surgery at nine years old. For the procedure, Villa and his family traveled to Salt Lake City, Utah from Tenancingo, Mexico. Two years later, they relocated to Houston, Texas because he needed back surgery. From there, they moved to San Marcos, Texas, eventually settling there.

Villa said he tried to get into Texas State University, but he needed remedial courses before enrolling. Instead, he attended Gary Job Corps, and with their college program, he began attending ACC in 2002.

"I like ACC," he said. "I like the teachers, and I especially like the opportunities they give us, especially for handicapped people. They're good about accommodating."

Villa resides in San Marcos with his parents. Even though he doesn't live by himself, Villa said he needs little assistance.

"Sometimes, when I go to the grocery store, I'll bring someone with me. But if I need to get something small, I'll just go by myself. I'm pretty independent," he said.

For four days each week, Villa drives to Austin for his classes at Eastview and Rio Grande campuses. After five more classes, he'll graduate with an associate degree in Computer Information Technology.

Villa's dedication to school, according to Joseph Wiseman, instructional associate of writing in the learning lab at Eastview, is impressive.

"We get a lot of students who come into the learning lab," said Wiseman, "but, honestly, the number of students who are as dedicated as Villa is very low. He'll work at something, whether it's a writing assignment or a computer assignment, until he gets it."

"And that's really impressive when you get a student – any student, but especially a student without arms – putting in that kind of time."

Though Wiseman hasn't taught Villa in any of his classes, he said the two have grown close from Villa's frequent visits to the learning lab.

"He's a wonderful fellow. He's wonderful from any aspect. I've seen him climb up in an automobile engine and start taking it apart. I've seen him type at both desk level and foot level. Sometimes, I think, ‘Well, he can't do that,' and he just does it as a matter of fact. I think you can pretty well say that he can do anything," said Wiseman.

And the ability to do anything, said Villa, is part of the lesson he wants to teach elementary students during the motivational speeches he conducts.

"I tell them about my life and the way I do things. I try to convince them to stay in school. But the number one thing I want them to know is if I can do it, they can do it," said Villa. "Just because a person is disabled doesn't mean he or she isn't going to accomplish things."

Villa said he doesn't worry about people staring.

"It used to bother me, but it doesn't anymore. I guess it's because I'm used to it." he said.

"He's very outgoing," said Wiseman. "I think if I had a serious disability, I would kind of withdraw, but he has a lot of friends. He's someone who knows a lot of people and talks to a lot of people."

Villa said he doesn't look at his disability as a disadvantage.

"If I would've had arms, maybe I wouldn't be in college or even in the states," he said. "I think if I wasn't the way I am, I probably wouldn't be the same person that I am right now."