N.H. Superstar
Joshua
Crary, ’09
Sociology
Center Barnstead
Belknap County, N.H.
Josh Crary doesn’t read music, but he sure can hear it, and play it—well
enough that he sometimes can learn a song in its entirety even before he
picks up his guitar. Remarkable enough, perhaps, but Crary, a junior at
UNH, also is legally blind, diagnosed at the age of 13 with a degenerative
retina disease that robbed him of his sight before he graduated from high
school. Crary emphasizes that being blind is not “the” thing that defines
him, and at UNH, the sociology major has turned his disability into a genuine
strength. A dean’s list student, he also has served as resident adviser
(RA) in Christensen Hall, one of the University’s themed dorms for first
year students. In his work there and in his major, his personal experiences
bring valuable perspective to others struggling with challenges.
Where are you from, and what do you want people to know about
your hometown?
I am from Center Barnstead. It is quite a small town and does not have
too much to offer commercially, but it is a beautiful area. The town population
increases threefold in the summer. The people are kind and care deeply
about their neighbors as well as about the issues Center Barnstead faces
with management and spending.
Why did you choose UNH? How did growing up where you did influence
your decision?
I primarily chose UNH because it is a large university that is far away
enough from home for me to experience living on my own, but close enough
that I can go home on a moment’s notice if I need to. UNH offers a tremendous
amount in terms of academics and opportunities to be involved with and
have new experiences. Beyond the University itself, the surrounding areas
offer many choices for recreation and academic endeavors.
How are your experiences at UNH meeting your expectations?
I never knew that college would be as life changing as it has been. I attribute
this change primarily to my experience as a resident advisor at Christensen
Hall. I have learned not only what I am capable of, but also what I am
not capable of, and when it is appropriate to call on someone for assistance.
My experience as an RA has certainly changed my life in ways I did not
expect, shaping my decision to pursue a career as a counselor.
Are there particular challenges you have found as a college student
who is blind? How have you handled them?
Truthfully, my college experience has been quite normal. I have faced a
lot of the challenges everyone else faces, just from a different perspective.
The most difficult obstacles I have faced are mostly in terms of finding
the best way to learn in various situations. Acquiring my textbooks on
audio CDs or converted into digital text is my greatest struggle, but one
that is easily overcome as long as I plan in advance.
How do you see your time at UNH helping you in your career? What
are your plans for the future?
I am currently a senior but plan to take a fifth year to finish my studies,
at which point I will apply to graduate school for counseling. As an RA,
I found the counseling aspect of the job to be the most enjoyable and made
all of the effort more than worthwhile. In the future, I feel I will be
able to give back to my community a great deal working as a counselor.