Jefferson Bickerstaff

My name is Jefferson S. Bickerstaff. I was born in Washington, D.C. at George Washington University Hospital. I have a brain injury due to loss of oxygen at birth, which was caused through an error by the anesthesiologist. My injury affected the part of my brain that controls my large and small motor skills and my muscle tone. I have low muscle tone, which makes it difficult for people to understand me when I speak. Technically, it is a brain injury but the world knows it as that ashcan term, Cerebral Palsy. It is neither progressive nor contagious, but most people do not know that. At 18 months my parents found the Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential located in Philadelphia, PA where they gave me a vigorous physical, physiological, and intellectual programs to achieve excellence in every aspect of daily living. My injury did not affect my intelligence. I graduated from Georgia Perimeter College with high honors and a 3.87 GPA. I'm a member of Phi Theta Kappa honor society, and currently I have maintained a 4.0 GPA at KSU and Im a member of the Delta Theta Kappa honor society. Unfortunately, many people still think I am intellectually challenged because of my physical disability and speech problem. I am equal to my peers and would like to be treated as they treat each other. I have worked diligently and extremely hard to get to this point in my life, which gives me the incentive to continue towards my bachelors or even higher degree at Kennesaw State University. I have engaged with numerous assistants from around the globe, and have an understanding of several cultures and languages, which could be relevant to this course. My family owned metro Atlanta automobile dealerships for 15 years where we exported vehicles overseas. As a result, I am familiar communicating with international customers. I have a lot to share, and look forward to expanding my knowledge through this international management class.