Ashley Troyer wants to challenge students to try painting without using their arms.

Instead of holding the brush with your hand, try gripping it with your mouth.

Can you write your name?

Flint senior Emanuel Sledge traces an image at the learning station during the David Garcia Project Friday night in the Bovee University Center’s Terrace Room. The David Garcia Project was founded in honor of David Garcia who lost his life during the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center. (Paige Calamari/Staff Photographer)

“It’s really hard, but a lot of fun at the same time,” the St. Clair Shores sophomore said.

Troyer said she does not just recommend this for fun — she wants to show students what the world would be like if they really could not paint with their hands.

Troyer is a facilitator for the David Garcia Project, a series of exercises in which participants are broken into groups and faced with various simulations representing different disabilities.

The simulations represent auditory, physical, visual and learning disabilities.

They include climbing in and out of a wheelchair using only your arms, navigating your way through a maze while blindfolded and playing Simon Says while wearing ear plugs.

About 25 students attended the first workshop of the month Friday. The next open session takes place at 5 p.m. Nov. 19 in the University Center Isabella Room.

Jenison sophomore Holly Witte tried walking through a maze of construction cones blindfolded Friday.

“It’s really hard to trust somebody to tell you where to go,” Witte said. “I just felt very scared, like I would run into things and hurt myself.”

Keep the memory alive

The David Garcia Project is named after a computer programmer who worked at the World Trade Center and died during the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Garcia suffered from a degenerative eye disease, and his family started the project to keep his memory alive.

Troyer attended her first session as a participant last year and her heart was instantly touched. She knew she had to become a facilitator and spread her passion.

One of her close friends in high school was born without a left forearm. Troyer wanted to learn what life is like not only for her friend, but also the others with disabilities.

“Every time I see someone else on campus, I want to empathize with them,” Troyer said.

Saginaw freshman Eric Conley was inspired by the program.

“It was interesting to see what they go through day in and day out,” Conley said. “I’d like to learn how I can help them out more.”

Farmington Hills freshman Kathryn Sheldon said she never thought the simulations would be as difficult as they were.

She was especially challenged by the auditory station, which required her upmost attention.

“I didn’t think it would be that hard when they explained it but, when you actually do it, it’s a lot harder,” Sheldon said.

E-mail the author: Joe Borlik