Last week, Tyler Brady accomplished two goals. She graduated from Lander University with a degree in interdisciplinary studies, and she walked across the stage to receive it.
Walking isn't easy for Brady. She was born with cerebral palsy, a neurological disorder that affected her ability to move her legs.
"It's really hard for me to move my knees, keep my feet down and stay balanced," she said.
Most of the time, she uses a motorized wheelchair to help her get around. She also has a manual wheelchair and walker.
The main accommodation she's needed from Lander is an oversized desk to park her wheelchair under in each of the rooms in which she had classes.
She hopes to earn a master's in library science, then work in a library or public school setting. She's already completed library internships at Pinecrest Elementary, Westview Middle School and Greenwood County Library.
"I love to work with children," she said.
Her immediate goal is to buy a car, have it modified so she can drive it, get her driver's license and find a job.
Brady said she made "lifelong friendships" during the years she spent at Lander.
"I love it. I don't want to leave," she said.
When asked if she had any advice for people with disabilities, she said, "Stay positive and don't let anything stop you. If you believe in yourself and have passion to do something, you can do it."