Ohio State is home to a myriad students with an equal amount of backgrounds – many of which include struggles from the everyday sort to the heroic; in the some cases the fight may be engaged with the realm of the physical.

Marcus “Tito” Atkinson, a freshman in journalism, endures his battle with his visual impairment every day.

Atkinson has glaucoma, which causes fluid buildup in the eye – similar to common swelling. This condition forces the optic nerve and the retina to be pushed up against the inner eye causing decreased vision.

“I have a hard time adjusting to light. It takes a longer time for my pupils to dilate,” Atkinson said.

Atkinson is almost completely blind in his left eye, causing him to have difficulty with depth perception.

“Most everyday things are based on memory. Like for instance, I have trouble with steps, so I must remember so I will not trip and fall,” Atkinson said.

These struggles did not prevent Atkinson from achieving his dreams of attending OSU.He was selected in the sixth grade to become part of the pre-Young Scholars Program at OSU.

“This program selects minority, low-income, first-generation students based on their academic performance, test scores, leadership, community involvement, family circumstances and other factors. These selected students are officially inducted into the program when they enter the ninth-grade and must maintain a 3.0 grade point average while in high school,” said Charity Martin-Via, program coordinator for Columbus Young Scholars.

“Every summer of my high school life I have been here at OSU for Young Scholars. They hold workshops that teach us college habits and allow us to meet with other young scholars,” Atkinson said.

After graduating from high school, Atkinson received a scholarship from the Young Scholars based on his financial necessity. He also has received grants from the state and federal sources giving him the ability to attend OSU on a full ride.

“I grew up watching Ohio State sports and always wanted to go to college there so I could be a part of that,” Atkinson said.”I am a true Buckeye fan and love all sports. I purchased all of the home football games including the preseason. I was down here enjoying the games and the atmosphere before I was a student.”

Once the decision was made to attend, Atkinson registered with the Ohio Disability Services to formulate his early stages of college.

“The admission process determines if a student is eligible and if so, the necessary needs of that individual are taken into consideration,” said Patty Carolton, director of ODS.

Students with disabilities have to meet the same criteria as other students and must present documentation of their disability and severity, Carolton said. After the process is complete, a disability counselor is assigned to each student.

“At ODS, our mission is to provide and coordinate support services and program that enable students with disabilities to receive equal access to education and all other aspects of university life,” Carolton said.

Through ODS, students with disabilities can receive the necessary technology and measures needed to help ensure they are prepared and can attend their classes.

“I try to lean away from things like that unless I really need them. I would rather have someone else who really needs it have the ability to do so,” Atkinson said.

Atkinson said his classroom experience has varied.

“In smaller classes teachers are more willing to help, but in larger classes most teaching assistants have never experienced something like this or tend to forget,” Atkinson said.

He said certain measures are necessary because it takes him longer to read with his vision changing daily.

In his spare time, Atkinson volunteers for the Ohio Union Board of Activities and for The Underground student radio station – he broadcasts his program on Friday night at 11 p.m.

“It is cool to volunteer at the OUAB because I got to meet some famous people like the cast from “Whose Line Is It Anyway” and Jack Hannah, to name a few,” Atkinson said.

Atkinson said he likes to see the smiles on the faces of those who attend OUAB events.

His other interests include music and hanging out with friends.

“I like to eat pizza and hang out with friends just like every other student,” Atkinson said.

He also enjoys watching and critiquing sports. His future aspiration is becoming a broadcast sports journalist.

Atkinson said OSU gives him the opportunity to accomplish his dreams.

“I just really like the opportunities that OSU gives with internships and careers. It is just a great place to succeed,” Atkinson said.