Conclusion

USILC,

I genuinely owe it all to you for helping me along on my self advocacy journey throughout these past ten years. I am so grateful to be a part of a council that pushes to make the lives of people with disabilities a reality and reminding us that it's just a different way of living. You will forever have a very special place in my heart and I hope to stick with you guys another ten more years!!! I am grateful for all the many memories that I have been able to make with you and being a youth participant, mentor for the NINJA Conference was nothing short of a dream come true!!! It is where my self advocacy journey ALL started was getting a piece of paper handed to me about a youth leadership retreat that was going to take place on the Utah State University campus and not knowing how much fun it would be, until after I got there. It was the start of a journey that would keep me going in the direction that I need to be in and no matter how much I never wanted to see my time with this retreat end, I knew my life was changed for good. 

It opened up so many doors for me to walk through and make some of the most amazing friendships with people who can relate to what it is like being different. I was able to learn so many things about being in the world of independent living and learning to get myself out there, when I clearly didn't know if I could even make it happen. I absolutely loved spending time away from home for a short period and having that student experience--which if you ask me was more than an incredible opportunity to do things on my own, without my family near. 

I am grateful for the endless support, unconditional love, motivation, encouragement that not only you have given me while serving in this organization-- but allowing me to do my best in anything I'm ever asked to tackle. I have truly given you everything in my heart to this organization throughout my time being a youth member and hope to see another ten more years down the road. I'm grateful for all of the lessons that I have had to learn throughout my time and even though it continues to be a struggle, I am genuinely blessed to have such an amazing group of people behind me to cheer me on and make sure I am never doubting myself. 

Thank you so much USILC for coming into my life a decade ago and pushing me through the hardest of times to reach my leadership goals. I love you so much and cannot wait to see what else the future holds in store for you over the next ten years that lie ahead!!! Thank you so much for being a part of my life-- in a way that I know is going to stick with me forever. 

(End Of Post)