My self advocacy journey began a little over ten years ago when I received a piece of paper about a youth leadership retreat that would be taking place on the campus of Utah State University. I didn't want to pass up the opportunity to participate and learn more about becoming an even better person, self advocate and so many other things in between. I am grateful for the many new friendships that I was able to make with such an amazing group of people who still to this day, look after each other no matter what life is throwing at them. I cannot tell you how much of an imprint this conference has left on my heart over the course of these ten years and have never had any regrets since that time. I am grateful for the laughs, memories that me and my friends were able to make with each other, staying up late into the night hours and learning as many things as we could to be good disability leaders.
TEN YEARS LATER----I am grateful for the doors of opportunity that this conference has given me to walk into and learn what my potential as a self advocate truly is. I also loved being able to teach at/on the conference itself more than anything in the world and getting to share my message of hope with my ninja friends was a delightful experience for me. It has been life changing for me to see the personal growth in myself to not be afraid to stand up for what I know is important and not letting any obstacles get in my way of what I can accomplish.
LONG STORY SHORT---I am so grateful that this conference is where my self advocacy journey began and it is definitely not the end for me. I only have so many more opportunities out there for me to grasp a hold of and can let impact my life more than I will probably ever know. I have learned and grown so much from being a part of this conference and knowing that my legacy will live on forever is heartwarming. I'm grateful for the family that these group of people became from me as I returned back to this conference & wanting to learn more about becoming a good example for others.
USILC:
It's been an unforgettable ride for these past ten years as I have gotten to participate in your disability conference that I will always have a special place in my heart for. You have helped me want to be an even better person than I ever thought I could become and I owe it all to you for making that happen.
Thank you so much for allowing me the opportunities to teach at the conference and letting me have an experience that I know will be cherished forever. You have been a wonderful part of my life that I will never want to lose or see itself fade out of here any time soon. I am so grateful for the chance that I do have to serve with you among so many other incredible people, who I know will continue to make an impact on the lives of so many individuals with disabilities. #ToBeContinued
Thank you so much for your years of hard work and dedication to the NINJA conference! You are truly remarkable and I’m so proud of all you have accomplished! People are better for knowing know you sweet Courtney!
ReplyDeleteTylee,
ReplyDeleteI am truly better for knowing such a genuinely kind, passionate and dedicated, angelic person like you. Thank you so much for all of the kind and thoughtful words. It really touches my heart knowing that I have left a legacy of the kind of ninja that I want to be within the disability community.
You have truly left an imprint on my heart that is never gonna fade itself out of here any time soon. You are an amazing role model, mentor, self advocate, disability leader and I've said this all the time--but I really hope to be like you when I grow up.
You have made me want to be a better self advocate, disability leader, mentor, friend and role model for so many other people more than you could ever know in this world. You have made me recognize how much stronger of a person I can be, regardless of what any obstacles or barriers that lie in my path, etc. I could go on and on forever. It has been an unforgettable ride to be a part of something that will forever a special place in my heart.