Ninja Story

 

Dear USILC,

Back in 2013, I received a piece of paper with a schedule typed up about a Youth Leadership Retreat that was going to be held on the campus of Utah State University in Logan. I didn't know what I was walking myself into having had no experience with leadership in the disability community & did not expect it to be as much as fun it was until after I got there.

I've held various leadership positions before this conference ever happened and immediately was hooked!! I have truly grown and learned so much about becoming the kind of disability leader, self advocate, mentor and friend that I need to be for others. I cannot thank this non profit organization nearly enough for changing my life a little over ten years ago and I've never had any regrets since then.

I am truly grateful for the unconditional love, support, friendships that I have made with this group of people who I have considered to be like a second family. I love every single one of you so much and the impact you have made on my life will always stick with me wherever I go in this world and in the future.

Favorite NINJA Conference Memories:

- Laughing so hard until it hurts and learning lots about how to become a good self advocate, disability leader, and mentor for others in the disability community with my friends!!!

- Being a youth mentor four years in a row and always getting a heartfelt moment to share with everyone who participates with us!! - Staying up late into the evening hours and making the absolute best of every situation that this conference has ever handed to me over the past ten years.

#ItsANinjaThing #NINJALeadership #NinjaForeverAndAlways