Timeline

January:

Essentials

What an unforgettable experience getting to learn more about "Why do I need to advocate" among so many other things in between. I am so grateful for the opportunity to participate in this virtual event and in hopes to get a little more interaction with people who will be participating with us.

February: 

Prom Night

Getting another chance to once again participate in this worldwide prom event is a dream come true!!! It's such a fun experience to spend quality time with my friends and make memories that we will cherish for the rest of eternity. If you have never heard about this event before, you are definitely missing out on such an incredible movement that continues to impact the lives of people like me and many others. Please stay tuned for an update on this event once it gets closer!! :) 

March:

Recuperates

This month was one of the hardest for me on so many levels and yet I continued to recognize how much better I can be when it comes to boundaries as well as keeping my mental health in check at all times. It was extremely hard for me to not participate on a meeting and not have tears rolling down my cheeks--- because I felt like I must be too much of a burden on someone's plate. I have really grown so much with in the last year and can only hope to do better from here on out--(or into the future!!)

April: 

Perfect Birthday

I legitimately made the decision to give a colleague of mine their own birthday post :) I know it was not going to be the last one I would ever let them know about or pretend like it didn't mean something deep down inside of them. I am so grateful for this person who has continuously put up with me in ways that no one should ever have to face either on their own or in everyday life-- but I knew in my heart they did need someone to show that they cared!!

June:

Conferenced Out

This virtual NINJA Conference was probably more enjoyable than the one before. It was such a visible struggle for me to not lash out my emotions and want to hide away from everything bad that had been going on in the world. I felt a little more at peace with trying to pay more attention to the lessons and skills we needed to learn as self advocates, mentors and people within the disability community on a regular basis. I truly cannot owe USILC nearly enough for changing my life in a way that will stay w/ me forever and I am so grateful for everything they have done to make me the self advocate that I am today. 

August:

Nomination

This nomination from my best friend Camille somehow unexpectedly came true!!! I didn't necessarily believe that just because my name was getting put inside of the ring-- I would even find myself actually doing all of the tasks I have been asked to tackle. Little did I know what an unforgettable honor and just overall privilege it would be for me to lead virtual meetings with the best group of self advocates ever and continuing to learn from them every other month is an amazing experience.

October:

Official Chair

Ninja Trailer

Getting the privilege to serve in this leadership capacity has been life changing and I cannot thank all of my friends nearly enough for their unconditional love, support, patience, kindness and everything else in between that they have given me when I have felt like I am not deserving of it whatsoever. It's been an amazing experience for me to step out of my comfort zone and learn new ways to showcase all of my leadership skills. 

#NINJAPrideForever

November:

Special Event

My best friend Camille tied the knot with her now husband Sam & I could not be more than happy for them!!! I truly loved being a part of her special day with smiles and laughs to share all day long-- which if you ask me did get a little exhausting after some time, but it was an unforgettable day that I know will be cherished forever. 

Memories

This year in 2021 has given me a fair share of unknown challenges and obstacles that nobody should ever have to go through in their lifetime. It has been an emotional rollercoaster with not knowing if I am doing the right things or just trying to make a complete fool of myself almost everyday if you can even believe it. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities to keep doing better and making sure that I can do only the best efforts I have to make a good impression on those I work with and will for the next couple of years of my life. #ToBeContinued 

Here are some of my favorite highlights and memories from this past year:

Being nominated/elected as the new chair person for my youth leadership committee has been nothing short of an incredible experience for me!!!! I have continued to learn so much in regards to what I can keep doing better to make sure I take care of myself and refocusing on myself a little more. I am truly lucky to have an amazing group of people that are cheering me on everyday and making sure that I'm getting judged for my performances. 

Participating in various disability conferences and committees throughout my time as I serve in the many leadership capacities that I have been able to either plan or give input on has been a delightful experience for me. I am grateful for the abilities that I do have to make these events successful and not something for people to forget in the years to come. I am grateful for the support system of people who are always there when I need someone to talk to about anything and not being afraid to take care of myself whenever it is possible for me to do that. 

Learning from the best of the best in our state on a regular basis has been a dream come true!!! I cannot express my gratitude nearly enough times for how much they have shown me what being a true leader is and not worrying about what mistakes I've made in the past or anything of that nature. It has been an incredible journey for me to learn and feel inspired by their words of motivation to know that I will not get anywhere in life unless I legitimately do something about it. 

Trying my hardest to maintain boundaries with people that I dearly look up to so much and hope I can be like when I grow up. They have strengthened me through their goodness of what is going to help me fulfill my dreams in life and making certain I have my voice heard when it is necessary. I am grateful to know that I can communicate with others in a very mature manner and not feel afraid to ask for help if I ever need it at any given moment. It has been one of the hardest things for me to learn this year as I just continuously struggle with the endless list of restrictions that life has never stopped giving me and I am definitely a better person than ever before. 

(End Of Part One) 

Free Write

People First Conference (May 2022)

Me and one of my NINJA friends are going to participate on this planning committee, to give ideas on how to promote self advocacy within the disability community, helping to make decisions on activities and presenters, etc. I cannot wait for this to get rolling as we enter into a brand new year and hopefully this can be an in person event. When I was last participating on a committee like this one, it was this summer and we had the most legit as well as informative virtual conference ever!! I truly loved being able to give my time and energy into something that I knew would change my life forever. It was such an amazing experience for me to really showcase all of my leadership skills that I have continued to work so hard on throughout these past few years!!!

Special Entry

Ty,

"It's not goodbye, It's see you later..."

It's been such a delight to work with you on this committee, that will forever hold a special place in my heart. You and I have definitely experienced more than we wanted to handle, minus all of the tears that were shed along the way--but I am grateful for your patience with me as I have taken on a role that I never imagined myself being able to tackle. You have inspired me to always push myself to do hard things and never care about what others think, staying true to myself in almost every situation, etc. I am so grateful for the opportunities that you have allowed me to have as I served with such an amazing group of people, who I know are going to change this world for the better. I truly cannot thank you nearly enough for the ways you have inspired, encouraged, motivated me to not ever second guess an opportunity that comes into my path and remembering who I am. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for being who you are and I will always remember every "Hard Knocked Life Lesson" you taught me during these past two years. I will miss serving with you in this capacity-- more than you could ever possibly know and just know that my heart will stick with this YLC forever!!

(Instagram Post - Coming June 2022) 

Untitled Post

(Little Preview - Snippet)

My journey with this youth leadership committee began over three and a half years ago, not knowing if I had the right choice to participate or let alone contribute much of anything that would be of importance to our disability community. I am so grateful for the many discussions we've had together as a group online and try to set out goals for ourselves to see get implemented with each meeting we had. 

Over the course of time, everything has gotten a little more structured with leadership roles and having so much more to focus our attention on is remarkable. I have truly seen so much growth in myself as a leader who wants to keep seeing good in this world as well as the lives of people with disabilities get improved all over the state of Utah. It has given me opportunities to keep moving forward with my life, even when there were times when I didn't want to put a smile on my face or deal with what was handed to me. 

YLC Members,

"How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard." - Winnie, The Pooh

This is how I genuinely feel over having to walk away from such an incredible disability committee and knowing that my time is almost up is what makes this so much harder on me. I know that you guys will continue to move things forward and keep setting goals for yourselves to accomplish going as this new year rolls into place. I will greatly miss serving alongside with you all so much more than I could ever possibly say and just know that if you ever need advice or someone to talk to, I am always here. I love you all so much and hope we can remain friends forever!!!

(End Of Part Two)

Little Preview

The term "bittersweet" could not be more applicable than at this time in my life. Bitter coming from the fact I have to tearfully walk away from serving on one of the best disability committees ever and sweet coming from the unforgettable memories that I've made with such an incredible group of people. It has been an amazing journey for me to learn and grow as a disability leader in this role that I did not even know would change my life as much as I imagined... #ToBeContinued 

Mini Campaign

NINJA Fam,

1) I genuinely love how kind all of you are to not only me, but everyone else you have ever come into contact with in this world. You guys are so passionate about you do to making a difference within the disability community and seeing it as a place where we can feel included and not let anything tear all of us down. I also especially love the friendships we have with each other and have continued to maintain throughout these past ten years!!! #ItsTheNinjaLife 

What wise man or woman has blessed your life? Share with them your love and appreciation. (Today)

Too many names of people I could list on here, but I am grateful for everyone who has continued to stick me through my entire life and keep putting a smile on my face. I love you all so much and the bonds we've made with each other, I can only hope will last into the eternities. You all have embraced with me literally open arms even if there were times when I didn't necessarily deserve it and I cannot be more grateful for the impact you continue to all have on my life. 

Miniature Update: (Unforgettable Moment) 

I had one of the most heartfelt conversations over social media with my all time favorite human in the entire world!! It was such a heartwarming experience for me to share with them, simply how amazing they are to not only me, but to everyone within the disability community. I left them pretty much close to being speechless while I was telling this person how capable, diligent, self-less they are qualified to be doing what they are right now. I cannot tell you what an immense peaceful feeling that legitimately came over me in those moments as we kept chatting with each other. I genuinely love this angelic and self less person so much more than anything else in this universe!!! They have continued to amaze me in ways that I am certain will keep touching the lives of everyone around them. (To Be Continued)

Extra Nervous

Earlier today I was asked to lead my youth leadership committee through our virtual meeting and if you ask me it was a little bit of a nerve-wracking moment for me. I legitimately wanted to do my best as well as make a good impression on the new members and my favorite colleagues in the whole entire world. It is definitely hard when I have never done anything like this before and with being used to listening when I'm usually keeping my mouth shut was a little bit emotionally draining than I anticipated. The more times we have meetings virtually I will be able to transition into this leadership role a little bit better and I am so grateful to do it among the best set of friends ever!!! 

LONG STORY SHORT--- I ended up having a slight anxious moment due to the fact-- throughout these past ten years my heart has always been a part of the youth area in the IL community. It has touched my heart so much with all of the many friendships and bonds that I've gotten to make, which if you ask me will never leave me any time soon. It is definitely going to be very emotional for me to leave behind an important part of my life that I know will continue throughout this heart wrenching change. I am really gonna feel saddened to leave behind a part of my life that has given me so many opportunities to grow into a better person and learning how to navigate our crazy world. 

I didn't necessarily know how to approach this new role of being a chair person, if it had not been for the person who believed in me that I could do hard things. I absolutely felt peace in my heart as I logged into this meeting with not having any idea if I was even the individual qualified for it. I am grateful for all of the unconditional love, patience of my colleagues who I genuinely have so much complete and utter trust in knowing this group of people will take the youth leadership committee in the direction it needs to head towards. 

(Next Part Coming Tomorrow)