Participant Profile: Derian Gatewood

She is funny, animated, articulate and loves to laugh, play piano, sing, dance, bake and make jewelry. This talented Nature Links participant is 25 years old and her name is Derian Gatewood.

Derian lives with her maternal grandmother Carol Shoreborn in Surry, where they moved to from Dexter, Maine. The devastating  car accident that killed her mother left three-and-a half year old Derian with profound brain injuries that affected her mind and body, requiring decades of many therapies. Her recovery has been very impressive but one of the lingering traces is a struggle with learning that makes education a challenge.

After homeschooling through eighth grade, Derian attended regular high school where she was often cast to sing and dance in musical productions including the Lion in The Wizard of Oz. She also learned to cook at the Tri County Technical Center and now often makes dinner for Carol. After several years of home schooling tailored to her particular needs, this learner is now totally at home in the Nature Links learning environment, designed for post-secondary students who share different learning styles.

Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, Derian played piano, drum and recently, harmonica, at the Congregational Church's Simmering Pot meal service. She also had just started working as a Dietary Aide in the Maine Coast Hospital kitchen. "I loved it and would do whatever they needed me to do to be helpful."

"I am people-person and a good listener- I don't cut people off and  I try not to take things personally,” Derian proclaims, "so I wish the pandemic would be over so I can see my friends again." She says she is  bothered by loud noises, scary movies  and people arguing. Sometimes things move too fast for her to follow, but Derian loves to read and she is fluent in Sign Language. It is a treat to watch her deliver MLK Jr's "I have a dream" speech in ASL!

Her own dreams? "I wish I could bring my mother back but that's not going to happen, and I'd like to be able to drive a car.” Driving may also be out of reach  because of the sustained focus required, but her grandmother agrees that an electric bicycle might be a possible alternative, until self-driving vehicles become accessible.

Profile by Nature Links Coordinator Veronica Young. Stay tuned for more student highlights, presented as a feature of the Nature Links Newsletter.