When Aubrey Shaw, a Ph.D. student at University of Idaho, approached her mentor Sharon Stoll, she had just one question.
“When I asked Dr. Stoll, ‘Why me?’ she said I could make a really big difference,” Shaw said.
After being involved in a serious car accident at 6- months old, Shaw has lived her life with a physical impairment.
“You can basically cut my body in half,” Shaw said. “My left half is stronger than my right.”
Originally from Minnesota, Shaw traveled with her family to Hawaii and attended the University of Hawaii at Minoa for two years before transferring to UI and graduating with a degree in psychology and a minor in communications. After deciding to stay in Moscow, she applied for graduate programs in several different areas at several different schools.
“Rejection letters come quickly,” Shaw said.
After being accepted to the movement sciences program, Shaw enrolled in a graduate ethics of sport class with Stoll, and would later be encouraged to pursue a Ph.D.
Now, two years into her Ph.D., Shaw has grown to become a voice for her peers and those with disabilities.
“I found my niche,” Shaw said. “I really want to be an advocate for people who have a disability in the sports realm.”
When Shaw asked Stoll why she should pursue a Ph.D., Stoll said she could make a really big difference.
“[Shaw] is passionate about equity for individuals with disabilities,” Stoll said. “She will make a difference because of her grit and determination.”
Shaw has shown this grit and determination since she was a young girl. Her father, Gordon Shaw, and his wife chose to raise her with the mindset she could do anything.
“We both agreed at a really young age that we were going to let her do what she wanted, despite the disability,” Gordon said. “She learned early on that the sky is the limit.”
Throughout her educational journey, Shaw said those she knew growing up were surprised at her success. Being actively involved in sports throughout her young life helped her strive for what she wanted.
“After seeing her older sisters play sports, Aubrey wanted to do it, and I said, ‘Why not go for it?’” Gordon said.
Now, two years into her Ph.D., Shaw has started to see she truly has a voice. She has grown in her voice and has worked to become an advocate for those with disabilities. After receiving a graduate degree and now in a doctoral program, she has formed closer relationships with professors and faculty members.
“In my graduate experience, I’ve tried to become the material I’ve learned,” Shaw said. “I’ve definitely seen a lot of myself learn through that process. If you try to put yourself in it and live it, it’ll benefit you in the long run.”
In the last two years, Shaw further immersed herself into her material. Though she lives with a disability, she said the mindset her parents raised her with has helped her to do anything she puts her mind to.
“I love the experience of learning and having the knowledge to have an intelligent conversation,” Aubrey said. “I love to learn.”
Mary Phipps can be reached at [email protected]