Hi,
Iām Abigail Thomas.Ā
From my earliest childhood I have had strong interests in systems and rules and well figuring things out. I love a good challenge. The sciences, philosophy, the human mind, and law.. Particularly in respects to advocacy and justice, both social and political all interest me.. Now to digress only a wee bit.. I did attempt college before I my early 20s only to fall miserably on my face for a myriad of reasons. Fast forward from 91 to 2018. I have reasonably working hearing aids, the student loans I originally had have been discharged, and within a week I went from admitting as a transfer student to literally sitting in classes. Much of it my own research and footwork. I still canāt believe I didnāt flunk at least one class last semester. .
Why I am majoring in law and paralegal studies is to continue on to law school and ultimately become a barred attorney. On a deeper level, it has as much to do with what I had to go through to get here (which would require way more space, as well as a sleuth of content/trigger warnings) as it did my love of rules, structure, order, systems, justice, and advocacy.
One of the things I wouldnāt mind learning is how civil litigation applies to certain criminal elements like sexual assault. Aside from that there is already a lot coming upĀ in this courseĀ that I can’t wait to sink my teeth into. I really just want to jump into the theory and application of law headfirst. So much material and so little time
So, you know that point when you tire of communicating the things āyou want others to know because you think they want to know it ā and go right for the ” ok this is my warning labelā. Thatās sort of where Iām at. So Iām transgender and also lesbian. So thatās the least significant facts. Then what else you should know? Iāve been hard of hearing practically my whole life, but didn’t have hearing aids until I was 37, and didn’t have decent ones until about four years ago. I was medicated for epilepsy from 2 to 14. I spent the majority of my early school years in special education and not in a good way at all. I may not always be perceived as the strongest, smartest, fastest, nor most attractive, but I am the most endearing and enduring. No doubt I will fail, but because of those failures I also succeed.
I happen to be the secretary of NYCCT Pride club (as in LGBTQIA+ pride) for which I am writing itās current constitution and thereās a page for it here on OpenLab as well. I like biking, walking, swimming , I like writing when I get into the mood. I must be alien because Iām not a big fan of coffee. But Pio Bagel on Willoughby and Lawrence makes excellent fresh juices. IĀ guess ill just end this here.
Abigail
Thanks, Abigail! You have a really interesting background. It provides you with numerous valuable perspectives to bring to our course, our program, and the legal field generally. Welcome to this course, and back to school!
Cheers,
Prof. C.