FULLERTON : Student Is Unfazed by Disability

Geoffrey McWilliams doesn’t have time for anybody’s sympathy. As far as he is concerned, his medical condition is a fact of life, and he would much rather concentrate on more pressing problems--such as improving his grades at Cal State Fullerton and getting his specially equipped van repaired.

Geoffrey has been confined to a wheelchair since he was 6 years old. Now 17 and weighing only 44 pounds, the inspiring young man has spinal muscular atrophy, a form of muscular dystrophy that allows him to use only his hands and forearms.

Preparing to begin his second semester at Cal State Fullerton as a computer science major, Geoffrey--once featured on Jerry Lewis’ telethon--considers himself a realist and a fairly logical person.

“I guess I’m fortunate to have full use of my brain,” Geoffrey says from the small Fullerton apartment he shares with his 22-year-old sister, Gina. “Since I was young, I seemed to excel in problem-solving, which probably explains my relationship with computers.”

Visibly embarrassed about talking about himself, Geoffrey just rolls his eyes when his 154 IQ is brought up.

“Yeah, that’s what they tell me,” he sighs in reference to the test he took while attending Lake Center Junior High School in Santa Fe Springs. “I don’t know, it’s not that big of a deal.”

Having recently left his mother’s home to live with his sister, Geoffrey says his goal is to one day be completely self-sufficient.

Crediting his parents for rejecting the advice of doctors to put him in a nursing home, Geoffrey says his mother and father have been extremely supportive and have been one of the main inspirations in his life.

Although he had some anxiety about leaving, Geoffrey has no regrets about living away from his mother’s home.

“It felt good to be on my own,” he says. “I don’t really feel helpless, and I’m getting plenty of support.”

A nurse, Edward Walker, 35, of Temple City, has been working with Geoffrey part time for a few months.

“I’ve been a nurse for 19 years,” says Walker. “And I’ve seen some incredible people. But Geoffrey is one of a kind, and his optimistic attitude is simply amazing. . . .

“People who are in similar predicaments tend to be bitter. But Geoffrey doesn’t consider himself handicapped. He’s such an inspiration.”

Because he became ill last semester, Geoffrey had to drop his class load at Cal State Fullerton from 13 units to 9 units, and his grade-point average fell. This coming semester, he plans to take 18 units to make up for last spring.

“If I can keep healthy, I don’t think there will be a problem,” he says. “But in my condition, you just don’t know.”

In his battle with the crippling disease, Geoffrey must exercise his hands and arms to keep the muscles active. He must also fight a tendency to sleep too much, which goes with his condition.