Carlene Fiorito '11
“No Pain, No Gain” Proves True for Student Scholarship Recipient
Pain can be a great teacher. Life’s challenges can provide great inspiration. Such has been true for Carlene Fiorito ’11.
A nontraditional student at the University of Rhode Island’s Feinstein Providence Campus, Fiorito recently graduated with a degree in psychology and a minor in women’s studies. It was a triumph for a woman who has had to manage the debilitating symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
It was the pain that started Fiorito along a path that eventually led her to URI. For her, the disease was so severe that she had to give up her job of 17 years. Then Fiorito began the long journey of health self-advocacy, learning which medications helped the most and how to manage the symptoms of her illness. Over time she learned to control her pain through integrative medicine practices, a combination of alternative methods and traditional medicine. In better control of her symptoms, Fiorito was free to start thinking about the rest of her life. Having already completed two years of higher education, her next steps led to URI’s Feinstein Providence Campus.
“When I returned to school a few years ago, I didn’t know what to expect,” recalls Fiorito. “Like most people, I was a little apprehensive, but I found a wonderful, supportive environment here.” At first, she wasn’t sure what kind of career she wanted to pursue. Then Fiorito took a psychology course. “I realized that is what I’m most passionate about,” she says.
Nearly a year into her studies Fiorito found out about the Feinstein Scholarship. She was grateful to be offered this award because she would not have been able to complete her undergraduate work without it. As a divorced mother of a little boy who is now 10, Fiorito had to manage her money carefully. The Feinstein Scholarship covered tuition and paid for her books, and Fiorito was able to avoid taking out student loans until last year.
Ultimately, Fiorito wants to become a health psychologist and specialize in pain psychology. “I’d like to focus on women’s health issues, which is why I minored in women’s studies,” she explains. “I want to do clinical work, teach and conduct research.”
To move toward her professional destination, Fiorito will apply to URI’s doctoral program in psychology by the end of this year. In the meantime, she plans to conduct a research project to enhance her chances of acceptance into the program.
“When you’re dealing with painful illnesses or conditions, there are a lot of emotional issues involved, like depression,” observes Fiorito. “It’s a vicious cycle. I am fortunate that I have a strong faith, found the strength to be my own advocate and locate the resources that I need. I’d like to assist others in doing that, and make it a little easier for them.”