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derekischmitz.link
Derek
@derekischmitz.link
550 followers 2.1K following 36 posts
Derek, 21, disabled, chronically ill, non-binary (they), and queer person.

Lead Advocate @ Derek Schmitz: Advocacy, accessibility consultant, author, and paralegal. Views mine, not a lawyer.

go.derekschmitz.com

Alabama, USA
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derekischmitz.link
Some squares from my life as a UAB transfer in October 2025!
Alternative text: A photo collage features eight photos taken by Derek, a white nonbinary person with long brown hair and blue glasses. The background of the collage is dark green, and the title of the collection “October 2025 Squares @ UAB” is centered in gold. From left to right, top to bottom: 1. Derek sits in an infusion chair wearing a red shirt and black KN95 mask with their hair down. 2. Derek sits against a wall wearing a green shirt and N95 mask with their hair up. 3. Derek sits against a wall wearing a blue polo shirt and N95 mask with their hair up. 4. Derek stands in an elevator wearing a pink shirt and N95 mask with their hair down. 5. Blazers Win graphic outside Protective Stadium after homecoming. 6. Derek stands outside near a bush wearing a blue shirt and N95 mask with their hair down. Their blue headphones are around their neck, and they're holding their computer. 7. Derek sits against the wall wearing a red polo and N95 mask with their hair up. They have blue headphones on. 8. Derek sits against a whiteboard wearing a gray jacket and N95 mask with their hair up.
November 3, 2025 at 5:42 PM
derekischmitz.link
September's in the books (literally). Here are some snaps from my days on the UAB campus.

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Alternative text: A photo collage features eight photos taken by Derek, a white nonbinary person with long brown hair and blue glasses. The background of the collage is dark green, and the title of the collection “Strips from September 2025 @ UAB” is centered in gold. From left to right, top to bottom: 1. A laptop open with Pink Pony Club playing next to a Panera cinnamon roll. 2. Derek sits in a blue polo shirt with an N95 mask on. They've clearly been sweating, and their hair is frizzy. 3. Derek sits in an infusion chair under a blanket. They are wearing a red shirt with their hair down and an N95 mask. 4. Derek smiles at the camera wearing a yellow shirt. Their hair is frizzy. 5. Across the street from the UAB Hill Student Center, the image depicts the tall, slanted building corner with the UAB monogram shrouded by trees. 6. Derek stands against a wall in a blue polo and N95 mask. 7. Derek stands against a door in a thin green shirt and N95 mask. 8. Derek wears a dark green shirt and black KN95 mask.
October 1, 2025 at 6:36 PM
derekischmitz.link
Forgive my horrific Canva skills, but here’s my Snapshot for August, capturing my first couple weeks as a UAB transfer! Hoping to do one of these each month I’m enrolled & taking classes, but we shall see if I stick to it.

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A photo collage showcases 5 photos of Derek, a white nonbinary person with long brown hair and blue glasses, in various places on the UAB campus. The top is labeled "August 2025 [at symbol] UAB." Top left corner: Derek wears a yellow shirt, a brace, and knee-high socks and smiles at the camera. A bed of flowers and a UAB granite feature are present in the background. Top right corner: Derek wears a mask and a grey shirt with a Children’s of Alabama emblem and stands next to Blaze, UAB’s mascot. Center: Derek wears a green shirt and eats a fudge pop outside with a smile. Their mask is down around their neck. Bottom left corner: A messy desk captures the contents of Derek’s screen: the Canvas dashboard with the caption “Good morning, UAB” on the bottom. Bottom right corner: Derek wears a pink polo shirt in a car.
September 25, 2025 at 3:04 AM