After an accident that led to the loss of her short-term memory and two limbs, Erin Schneider’s parents hesitated about sending her to college.

Just after donating blood at her Burlington high school, Schneider fainted and fell down a stairwell. She spent a week in the hospital, where doctors informer her she had lost partial use of her right arm and leg, as well as her short-term memory capacity.

Schneider’s parents were hesitant to send her to college before she fully recovered from her accident. But Schneider, now a senior in political science, was determined to overcome all obstacles. The Sigma Kappa member will graduate in May, but will continue to work for her sorority as the associate director of collegiate chapter services-expansion.

“I would really like to give the same experience to other girls that I had,” Schneider said of Sigma Kappa, 233 Gray Ave. “It was really great for me and I think this position will help spread the same opportunities to other girls.”

Two months after the accident, Schneider had gained back most of her memory of events that happened prior to the accident, but she can only remember sporadic memories between the time of the accident and coming to Iowa State in August.

At the end of summer she came to Iowa State, went through formal recruitment and joined Sigma Kappa. Schneider said she joined because “the girls were amazing, down-to-earth real people.” Schneider credits her sorority for helping her get through her first year of college.

“The love and acceptance of sisters is amazing,” Schneider said.

Schneider’s pledge sister Sara Downes, senior in biology, helped her adjust to college after the accident.

“Erin worked hard her freshman year and became a really good leader. She is just great with people. Sigma Kappa was able to give her a lot of encouragement and confidence,” Downes said.

Schneider had to relearn how to learn before coming to Iowa State. It was very difficult for her to absorb and retain reading and concepts, but during her first semester at college, the women in her house helped tutor her in each of her classes.

“Sigma Kappa gave [Schneider] a support group,” said Downes, who met Schneider freshman year when they both joined Sigma Kappa. “She has gained a lot of confidence since she first came here.”

The women in Sigma Kappa helped her regain total usage of her arm and leg by exercising with her. Women were willing to jog slower when she started running again, and the girls formed a group to take a 6 a.m. aerobics class with her.

She was able to form a close group of friends through her house that has always been there to help support her, which helped her take her mind off things. Her new friends were able to help fill the emptiness she felt without her family and little brother, whom she has always been close with.

Through Sigma Kappa, Schneider said she has “learned that with dedication and commitment you can do amazing things worth the time and effort.”

While at Iowa State, Schneider was the continuous membership chair for Sigma Kappa, as well as executive vice president of her chapter. Schneider was also vice president of recruitment for the Panhellenic Council and has been active with the Leadership Enrichment Action Program and Cy Squad. With help from her chapter, Schneider also founded the ISU Forensics Team.