Bailey Hutchinson will graduate Spring 2025.Bailey Hutchinson transformed her battle with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome into a journey of empowerment. Diagnosed during her sophomore year, her recovery through physical therapy enhanced her life and shaped her academic ambitions. This spring, she will become the first graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s pioneering Bachelor of Science in Disability Studies and Rehabilitation Science program, setting a new standard for future leaders in in the disability and rehabilitation field.
While Hutchinson explored different academic paths in the first semester of her junior year, her advisor recommended the new major, though she did not realize at the time how significant her decision would be.
Developed by UAB’s Department of Physical Therapy, the undergraduate program is a student-focused degree for those whose passion is helping individuals with a short-term or chronic disability to reach their fullest potential.
Majors. For your Major Decision.
“As a PT faculty, we initiated this undergrad program because we saw a need. There were not many degrees with a focus on disability and rehabilitation in the country, let alone at the undergraduate level,” said Christopher Hurt, Ph.D., program director. “We felt that we could provide a significant contribution to education of those students interested in disability or health professions.”
For Hutchinson, some of the most memorable and impactful experiences in the program happened outside the classroom. In the Environmental and Community Considerations of Mobility course, taught by Gavin Jenkins, Ph.D., students were encouraged to explore the real-world impact of accessibility.
“We had class once a week, and then in the other class period, we were supposed to go to some place in the world and record its level of accessibility,” Hutchinson said. “That was a lot more eye-opening than just learning numbers; actually seeing it in real life was really cool.”
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome involves a group of connective tissue disorders that can cause joint hypermobility, chronic pain, fatigue and a range of other symptoms that often go unseen.
Hutchinson’s earlier coursework helped her build a strong understanding of the biological side of disability, but the new program offered a more personal and human-centered perspective.
“I felt very seen in all of my classes because they don’t discriminate against teaching about invisible disabilities either. That’s something I’ve struggled with. Like, ‘You don’t look like you have a disability,’ but you never know what someone is dealing with,” Hutchinson said. “Especially with my diagnosis, it hasn’t even been recognized in some states. So, it’s very profound to be able to learn about that. It makes you feel seen.”
Because EDS is frequently misunderstood or misdiagnosed, individuals with EDS can face significant barriers to recognition and care, something Hutchinson is determined to help change.
Her goal is to bring that perspective into her next chapter. Hutchinson plans to move to San Francisco in July and is actively searching for job opportunities. For the faculty behind the program, her graduation is more than symbolic.
“The inauguration of any program requires eventually that students graduate, and there always has to be a first student,” Hurt said. “We are happy that it is Bailey. She’s been a wonderful student while in the major, very engaged, and we’re excited to see where she goes after she graduates from this particular major. She will always be the first one.”