Maine Perspective Front Page
Commencement 1999
Catherine Foxson
Four generations of Catherine Foxson's family, including her 84-year-old father, will see her receive a bachelor's degree.
The pursuit of her degree, much like the walk to the Commencement stage that she is determined take, is inspirational.
"Getting a degree is going to be a real validation of the struggle to get it," says Foxson, the first in her immediate family to earn a college degree.
In 1991, Foxson was diagnosed with a debilitating soft-tissue disease known as fibromyalgia. A group of common rheumatoid disorders not involving the joints, fibromyalgia is characterized by chronic achy pain and fatigue, and muscle stiffness.
"So many mornings I hurt so bad I couldn't get out of bed. I missed some classes because of the pain, but it has been worth pushing through the panic, insecurity and doubt to get here.
"I have to be very aware of my body, and I have to have a lot of structure in my life," says Foxson, the mother of two and grandmother of three. "There are times I have to let dishes sit so I have enough energy to read. It's not just energy to sit there consciously relaxing my muscles but also energy to think clearly, coherently. Dealing with chronic pain is tiring. You have to plan to use a minimal amount of effort and coordinate medication so you're not sleeping or having spasms in class."
Foxson first enrolled at UMaine in 1970 and studied for a year before leaving to raise a family. "I was very self-sufficient until I had to quit work," she says. "I couldn't do the clerical jobs I was doing before I became disabled, so it was time to complete my education. I decided to use my mind and not be so dependent on my body."
In 1994, Foxson picked up her anthropology coursework. And
she decided to double major by adding philosophy.
"I am fascinated by the study of humans, culture and relationships any where, any time," she says. "For me, that is also how I study religions. When we look at human culture, the major components are religion and politics, the sacred and the secular. Interaction between the two is a driving force in cultures."
To keep up with her coursework, Foxson has used the resources available to students with special needs on campus. She has worked with note-takers, had classes relocate for accessibility, taped courses and been given extended times for essay exams.
Classmates have offered to help carry her tote bag, containing books, tape recorder and heating pad that she uses in class to stay warm and be as spasm-free as possible in order to pay attention and participate in her courses. Only this semester has she felt confident enough to accept their offers of support.
"With a hidden disability, you have a limitation that both you and other people have to take into consideration," says Foxson. "By discussing it and showing them that I am interested in working hard and doing as much as I could at my own pace, people knew I wasn't goldbricking. I earned their respect. They also had to learn that just because a disability is something they can't see doesn't mean it's not there."
Foxson's academic achievements include presenting a paper at the annual meeting of the Northeast Anthropological Association. It was the result of a lot of work, turning a class report on the Inca into an oral presentation, and then into a paper selected for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Conference this spring.
Foxson will begin graduate work in religious studies at Arizona State University this fall. Because of her health, Foxson is limited in how many hours she can work effectively. She is now exploring career options, such as providing hospice or chaplaincy services.
"I considered taking a year off but while I'm now feeling better physically, I decided to go on with graduate studies while I'm on a roll," Foxson says. "I am excited and enjoying my studies. I'm finally getting to a place where I'm making connections between all the readings. It's too good to stop now."