Conferenced Out

Leadership Presentation (June 2021)

Earlier this week-- I was able to have the opportunity of sharing my thoughts on what I feel like are the most important attributes of being a disability leader. As one of the NINJA Youth Mentors, I really wanted to make a good impression and inspire all of my friends who are on the conference with us, to genuinely know what good attributes that could make them a disability leader. I am grateful for the privilege of being able to share what some of my favorite ones were in a three minute period. It was definitely not the first time I ever shared my experiences with my NINJA friends and inspiring them to strive as hard as they can to be an example for others to follow. (Long Story Short--Last year when I was asked as one of the youth mentors to share their insight on what leadership means to them and boy it was seriously not even within a matter of seconds my voice became shaky and tears were rolling down my cheeks!! No, It was not planned whatsoever to have what I had prepared to come across in an emotional manner, but sometimes I never can seem to explain what I want to across to a group of people in the way I want to and then having end up as a teared up leadership moment in my heart is what makes me who I am.) I hope that everyone who listened to me share my thoughts were not only motivated to do what be good leaders in the disability community, but want to continue doing whatever they can in making sure their voices are being heard. 

NINJA Conference 2021,

When I first attended you back in 2013, I didn't necessarily expect you to be as much fun as you were until after I got there on USU Campus!!! I seriously had no idea about what anything in the disability community was (let alone about how much of an impact I could make on the lives of people like me!) I am grateful for the many friendships I have been able to have with some of the most amazing people in this world. They have inspired me to see the good in everything that life has to offer and reminding me of who I really am inside not only as an individual--but as a self advocate, leader, and someone who just aspires to keep improving on their own skills as much as possible. Thank you so much for changing my life forever and giving me a platform to make a difference in the lives of so many people!!!

USILC Staff:

You guys are just the best of the best in our state!! Thank you for being patient with me as I have started on my journey with being a youth member on USILC and learning from the greatest people ever is just a dream come true!!! I may not do anything perfect at times, but I continue learning as much as I can--- which if you ask me keeps leaving an imprint on my heart almost every year. Thank you so much for all the dedication and everything in between you guys put into making the NINJA Conference into what it is now!!! I'm missing the conference so much already and cannot wait to see this conference grow into more than just a fun disability leadership program--but one that is going to change the lives of everyone who gets a chance to participate in this yearly event. Love y'all and peace out---(Until next year that is!)

Untitled Post

The week of my favorite disability leadership conference is here!!! I'm excited for the opportunity to learn and be inspired from everyone who will be participating on with us--(which if you ask me is nothing short of an understatement.) I am thrilled to share what is in my heart about being a good disability leader and if you must know--I cannot wait to be a part of something that means so much to my life!!! I cannot wait for an opportunity to reconnect with my NINJA friends and feel empowered to see things change inside of the disability community. 

I am excited for the chance to share my insight on why leadership is important and even though I cannot make any promises about not getting teary eyed over what I have prepared. It is definitely going to end up being a heartfelt moment for all of the mentors, who have benefited so much from their experiences in the conference itself and I know there will be a lot of unforgettable moments to share!!! NINJA has been such an incredible part of my life for the past six years and going into my seventh year will not be any different than not getting to be around my friends in person--but I know next year cannot come soon enough. 

Mini Shout Out: (Ninja Peeps)

I'm grateful for the hard work, energy, time, commitment, dedication, passion, especially the heart that has gone into making this virtual conference happen. I've admitted one too many times about how lucky I am- getting to work alongside the best of the best on a regular basis, which if you ask me is nothing short of a dream come true!!! I am grateful for their patience into listening to whatever it is I have to say and lending a hand to anything when I can at any given moment :) Thank you all so much for being who you are in the world and continuing to do good--no matter what obstacles you have to overcome to get there. I know my experiences as a self advocate would not be what they are, if it had not been for all their encouraging words of advice and everything in between. I love you all so much and cannot wait to spend this week with all of you through my computer screen--Stay tuned for updates next week!!! 

Mini Stories

Virtual NINJA Conference (2021 Edition) 

Please stay tuned for updates about this coming after next week!!! I cannot wait to learn more about being a good disability leader, self advocate, mentor and someone who would do anything in this world to make sure their voice is heard. If you didn't necessarily check out my post earlier this week about the amazingly legitimate care package I received the other day, I'd highly suggest you read through it first. Since I'll be occupied with this event for three days straight and little time to share my thoughts on what I have gotten out of it--You will need to be extra patient with me!!!

Mental Status (Short Version)

I've done a lot of hard self reflections about myself these past five months and it has clearly shown me all of the many ways I can make improvements. It has been really difficult for me to reach this point in life & not feel the slightest bit of regret in how I wished things could have been handled. I am grateful to have an incredible disability leader among others who have stuck with me through the thick and thin--whether if I deserved it or not. I cannot wait to receive one of the sweetest hugs ever and know everything is going to be okay afterwards, because it has felt like as though any of the contact I used to have with my friends--- unexpectedly got taken away from me for what seemed as though it was an eternity. I know lots of my blog posts have been fairly repetitive with the many mixed emotions as well as anxious feelings that I have continued experiencing on a regular basis. More about this later!!! 

Self Talk

Who is a leader that you look up to and why? (Post 359)

I am truly grateful for the many individuals who have given me reasons to keep going forward in life and not worrying about the small things. I know they have left an imprint on my heart through their goodness and how they live in this world is second to none, which if you ask me is more accurate than most people would ever think twice about. I continue to mention how lucky I am to work alongside some of the best in our state on a regular basis, as well as learning from them is such a remarkable experience!!! I am grateful for their patience with me as I have endured through so much this past year and recognizing what my true abilities in life are (regardless of whatever obstacles lie in my path). I am forever indebted to them for just encouraging me to keep my head up high and a smile on my face, whether I want it on me or not. I cannot imagine my life without their ongoing support and motivating me to see the good in what life has to offer every single day.

Mini Answer:

I'd easily admit that my good friend Randi (among many other people in my NINJA family) are some of the greatest leaders I look up to in this world. I know their support towards me in my new leadership & advocacy roles are not at times the easiest things for me, but it is comforting to know I am not alone in anything I set my heart on. I am grateful for her patience, heartfelt advice that she has given me over an absolute difficult time in my life, video chatting with me when I need someone to talk to, playing any of my favorite songs when I need something to cheer me up, etc. I am grateful for their friendship so much and helping me to see the brighter side of any situation that life hands over to me, whether it is anything I needed to clearly understand in a more genuine way has brought me comfort endless times. 

Mini Shout Out:

I'd like to give a little shout out for my two favorite queens who are vying for the title of Miss Utah this week!!! I am grateful for their kindness towards to me and just being good role models for not only me, but so many other people in this world. I know they will give this experience all that they have worked so incredibly hard towards and cannot wait to see what their futures hold down the road. Sending all of my hugs and best wishes to them!!! 

Mentor Panel

As I reflect back on my experiences with being a youth mentor for this NINJA Conference, it has truly been something I'll forever hold close to my heart. I am grateful for the opportunities that I have gotten with inspiring and encouraging self advocates with disabilities to know they are not alone. It has been a wonderful privilege for me to help and assist others in having a positive experience on the conference as well as trying to motivate them to accomplish their goals. 

In conjunction with this online event--me and my other colleagues will get to participate in a mentor panel where we are going to be asked a question about why leadership is important. I'm not very much certain about other questions are going to be asked next to the one I mentioned here, but after the teary eyed moment I had last year--I know this one will be an unforgettable experience to remember. I am so excited about getting to share my thoughts and insight on why this particular subject is very important- especially within the disability community itself. 

Other News (Unofficial Stories)

TOMORROW NIGHT---I'll be participating on my fourth mentor training in conjunction with this virtual disability conference and it is almost hard to believe!!! I am excited to share my thoughts and feelings on why leadership is important makes this event all that but more special. I cannot wait for the more updates and stories I will get to share with everyone, when I have the chance to some time later this month. 

To Be Continued

New Changes

 Self Advocacy/Self Determination Training (Utah State University)

I'm stoked about this training that comes up in about three weeks!!! I cannot wait to get back into doing trainings for people in person again and educating them on issues that effect individuals in the disability community. One of my most favorite people who used to be involved in the IL World for many years--- and someone that I've considered to be like a second mom to me, reached out to my boss asking us if we could do a presentation for them on the topic I mentioned above. My colleague and I have anxiously just wanted to return back to in person stuff for awhile, which if you ask me is something I cannot wait to do once the chance arrives itself in my hands!! 

This experience will certainly be one that I hope stays close to my heart and look forward to being around people in my age group, who I know have a lot of potential to accomplish so many things. It's going to be an all day long event with lots of laughs to share as well as informing self advocates about ways they can have their voices heard. It's nothing short of a dream come true whenever I get to present on an important topic like this one in front of self advocates as well as to someone who I genuinely love so much as not only a professional in their field, but an individual who tries to do everything they can to help self advocates like me fulfill their dreams!!! 

Virtual (In Person Conference)

There will be only four other people with me on this virtual event and look forward to mentoring some of my own peers in some way. I cannot wait to assist and help them with getting as much out of the event as they can possible, because I know the more you can get out of what is being taught in a lesson or whatever is being presented-- I think is extremely important. More details to come!!! :)