Newly Hired

It's difficult for me to keep the tears back as I write up this blog post today after having received the news of an opportunity with teaching a class at my NINJA conference this summer!!! I am so honored for this unforgettable chance to educate and inform youth delegates about what self determination is. I could not help but keep myself together as I learned about the fact--my mentor days are over and will always have such a special place in my heart. I am grateful to return back this summer and teach some of my friends about a topic that is so important within the disability community. I could not be more grateful that this is where my self advocacy journey began a little over ten years ago and not knowing much about what I can do to be a leader, self advocate, mentor and friend towards others in making an impact on their lives in just the smallest way possible. It definitely makes me feel at peace knowing that I can hopefully make a good impression and leave a mark on everyone who will be there. 

Ty,

You changed my life forever and I cannot thank you nearly enough for asking me to teach a class on self determination on the campus of Utah State University this summer. It will forever hold a special place in my heart as I walk back into a conference where my journey began and what I owe all of my leadership experiences to. I am grateful for your kindness, unconditional love, support and friendship that you have shown me over these last few years, has truly meant the world to me more than you could ever possibly know. (Be sure to have tissues close by in case there are allergies inside of the room and just know that if I do end up getting teary eyed--it's simply because I love this conference so much!!!) It made me the person that I am today and if it had not been for NINJA--I'd not be serving on two governor appointed councils and serving in a variety of other disability leadership capacities. It's truly gonna be an amazing experience for me to teach all of my friends who are going to be attending the NINJA conference this year in person!!! I am so excited for the opportunity to be involved again with something that legitimately makes saying goodbye so hard!! 

#StayTunedForMoreUpdates #June2022