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 Background Story (October 2016)

My journey with the speakers network began in a time in my life, when I was clearly tired of doing store maintenance for a well known department store and just wanted to do something different with my life. It was absolutely one of the best changes I ever made and will never make plans to look back any time soon. I'm grateful for the remarkable friendships that I have gotten to make with my colleagues on this project and I can only hope to see those continue on into the future.

Self Determination Presentation (Ability First Utah)

At the time, two self advocates with disabilities who were already on the speakers network presented about this subject and little did I know how much it would impact my life. It was such a delight for me, watching them talk in front of a small group of people and not feeling the least bit nervous. I definitely loved being able to ask them questions in regards to what their dress code or attire is that they wear & immediately felt like this was something I really wanted to pursue. 

Quality Of Life Conference (Summer Time)

I attended this event up in the mountains of Provo Canyon and just had an incredible experience getting to learn more about becoming an even better self advocate. I was intrigued with the many lessons and things that I was able to take away from this conference, which if you must know was fun---but definitely not as fun as NINJA!!! While I was there, I met a lady by the name of Amy Notwell and during any random sort of conversations I'd have with other people, she genuinely brought up the subject of this speakers bureau for individuals with disabilities to train self advocates, siblings, and others about the issues that effect the lives of people like myself. The second I received a letter from this person in the mail, I immediately had to think about if it would be something I could commit to sticking with and after a week-- I sent back the information I had filled out.

LONG STORY SHORT----Me and my colleagues are going to be consultants through the state of Utah which if you ask me again, I could not be more than thrilled about. I am grateful about some of the new things that are lined up for us as speakers and can only hope for the best in whatever ends up happening down the road. My self confidence alone has gotten itself boosted so much through this project and just sharing that message of hope with so many people is something I never want to see myself not do. I am grateful for the remarkable moments of laughter and just letting everyone know that people who are just different from the rest of this world is something I want to continue advocating for. 

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Girls Night

I'm so excited for another chance to spend quality time with my best friends and celebrating three different occasions in one night will be an unforgettable experience!!! I cannot wait to laugh until it hurts, smile till I'm not able to do that anymore, watch a delightful and wholesome movie, not to mention all of the many memories that we will make together. We could seriously not be more than excited about our best friend Camille tying the knot in a few short weeks and just knowing the smiles on our faces will only continue into the days long afterwards. 

Whenever my twin sister and I along with our best friends spend time together, it is never a quiet moment which if you ask me is nothing short of an understatement. We love getting to visit and catch up with each other when the time comes around for us to do that--minus the crazy amount of energy that comes sticks with us all night long. Hahaha... I am not trying to overdo this blog post with too much excitement that I know will come right behind us all when that special day arrives!!! 

I am truly grateful we have each other to hang out with and can look forward to the biggest day of our best friend's life!!! I am certain there will be a lot more than just all of the activities included with this amazing celebration of not only our bestie turning one year older... but supporting her on a day that she'll remember for all eternity. 

I may be a little too excited about these upcoming celebrations more than I'd like to admit :) It is definitely hard to believe that my best friend will be tying in the knot in a few months and knowing her life will be changed forever is surreal more often I keep thinking about it. Please stay tuned for more updates that I'll promise will be shared on here at some point in time, but just continue to remain patient with me :) 

Ninja Trailer

After I was voted in to be the new chair person for my youth leadership committee, I decided that we had to create a movie trailer instead of a poster to get the word out for next year's NINJA Conference to be on the Utah State University campus!!! It had been on my mind for awhile and never felt like it was a decent or good idea to share with my group of friends, but I really wanted to make sure if it was something we all felt like we could agree on-- I didn't want to pass up the opportunity. 

COMING SOON--- June 2022!!! (Still a work in progress if you must know)

This disability leadership conference left an imprint on my heart from the moment I arrived on the college campus of USU almost ten years ago!!! It has been such a delight for me to learn from all of the many other youth delegates and being inspired by their stories that they convey with everyone in our group. I am so grateful for the unforgettable moments and endless amounts of laughs that kept me smiling until my heart was tired from being my favorite people so much. I have such a special place in my heart for this conference and everything that it has done for me to become the kind of leader I want to be down this road. 

My answers to the following questions in regards to this NINJA movie trailer are:

Why do I love the NINJA Conference??

I love this conference because all of the many new friendships I make with the delegates from all over the state of Utah. They are truly like family to me in more ways than one and I am so grateful for their perseverance in letting people know what they can do instead of the other way around. I love them all so much and their determination to keep going forward in life without guile!!! They have motivated me to always look for the potential in myself to do hard things and not care what others think I cannot do in this world to make a difference. #NINJAPrideForever. 

I genuinely love participating in a variety of classes that are held throughout the conference and helping everyone learn different ways to set goals for themselves, learn about ways to improve their social skills among so many other things in between. I also love getting the opportunity of staying on an actual if ya ask me legitimate college campus in the dorms with my friends-- You are genuinely missing out on the greatest things ever in my personal opinion :) 

I also love how inclusive the NINJA Conference is for people with all kinds of disabilities & trying to prove to this world that they are just as much part of society as the rest of them are. I am grateful for a conference like this one that continues to keep me pushing through the hard times and knowing that I'm not alone in the goals I set out for myself. 

Official Chair

Whoa!!! My life has definitely gotten a little more exhilarating now that I have been voted in as the brand newly elected Chair person of their Youth Leadership Committee. It is definitely bittersweet to see my role as the secretary come to an end because it turned into one of my favorite volunteer jobs ever!!! It was such a delight to create the agendas for each meeting and typing the minutes long afterwards (which if you ask me was more than a treat to do every other month.) Thank you so much to everyone who was genuinely patient with me as I continued to learn about my leadership role and have the support behind me every single step of the way. 

As I became elected into this new leadership role, I was certainly a little surprised that they were not more names listed for the next person who would become the new chair. I am grateful for the support & love of my fellow committee members who make me smile or laugh whenever I need it at any given time, especially in the circumstances that we are still in. I definitely have so much left ahead of me to learn and process inside myself about this new role, but it could not have gone any better in the sense of knowing I am not alone or just simply trying to do my best :) 

Other News:

My youth leadership committee has been a part of my life for three years and yet I'd never want to see myself doing anything more than what I can contribute to the group. I may not be perfect or someone-- who knew they could take on something like this, but I am more than grateful to do what I can. Earlier, when my meeting took place it felt strange not taking any notes on paper and not filling out what I had become so used to and now I get to start all over with this new slate. 

#MembersNeeded

This committee is in need of some new youth members with disabilities to join us and help us empower individuals like ourselves to learn as much as we can about becoming good leaders. It has been such an incredible experience for me to continue growing as a leader and making the best of whatever it is that I end up getting faced up against. Getting to this point in my life was nothing short of easy for me & feel grateful to know that through all of the obstacles--- I was able to make it to this next chapter of my life without feeling like I didn't fulfill what I needed to do. 

Free Write

October 1, 2020 (One Year Milestone)

I cannot even believe one year ago next month-- I will have reached my one year mark with being a part of the Utah Developmental Disabilities Council. I have definitely learned and grown so much more as a self advocate within the disability community than I ever imagined possible. I have enjoyed getting to do so many more things with people who are so dedicated and passionate about what they do everyday. It's given me a lot more stuff to focus on in my life and trying my hardest to be a good board member with every single virtual meeting that we have several times throughout the year. 

December 18, 2020 (Back Up Plan)

USILC was originally going to end up being my back up plan if things didn't work out with this other council that I mentioned above. It has been an emotional rollercoaster for me as I've had to learn about maintaining boundaries and trying to keep my anxiety in check as things continue being online. I have certainly had my fair share with tears rolling down my face and trying not to make a complete fool of myself with people I see every three months. I have really struggled with trying to find my place on a council where everybody around me knows way more than I do. There have been so many laughs and smiles given away to not only me, but other people who work tirelessly to make things become a legit reality for people with disabilities. I am grateful for their patience and teaching me the hardest lessons ever which if you ask me I didn't want to necessarily experience in the first place... But it has given me reasons to keep pushing forward with each day that passes on. 

USILC Interim ED Care Package 2021 

I genuinely wish there was not a rule to dismiss from giving you a little extra tender, love and care as you tackle on this new position within the independent living community. You are such an amazingly talented in every way possible and continuously amaze me with your ability to see the good in every situation life hands to you. 

This care package would include:

Tissues (whenever you need a good cry at any given moment)

Snacks (Variety of the things you love to munch on and bring a smile to your face)

Ice Cold Drinks (Diet Dr. Pepper, Water, Lemonade, etc.)

Cozy Warm Blanket (Something to snuggle up in when those chilly fall days arrive)

Ear Buds (Listening to your favorite songs or something to calm you down)

Homemade Banana Bread (I'd love to make this for you some day!!!) 

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NINJA Alumni Call (Highlights)

Getting a chance to spend virtual time with my ninja friends is always a treat for me :) I love getting to catch up with each other and see their faces after some time was much needed, which if you ask me is never anything I take for granted. I have greatly missed not getting to be with my friends in person and getting to tell stories, laugh until it hurts, stay up late into the evening hours, etc. We also participated in doing a virtual scavenger hunt and it was really fun to search around for items that had to be a particular texture, shape, color, etc. I definitely may have had a little too much fun trying to not waste my time with looking for items that we were asked to find around inside our homes, but loved every minute of it :) I am grateful to have had a chance to participate on this call and hopefully more of them will take place into the future!!!

Anniversary Of 911

It's been twenty years since the events of this anniversary when our lives were changed forever and I am grateful despite the heartache that was left behind-- We need to be prepared for when our lives get turned upside down in any situation. I am grateful for the many lives we get to remember this month and think about how much of an impact they left on our hearts from this experience. I was scared to imagine how people from another far away country, would specifically target us as Americans to help us realize what we have on a regular basis is something they were upset about. I remember walking around the museum and memorial of this event back in New York in 2012 to see the rusted objects that were saved for people to see and look at every year. I am certain a lot of those things were important to someone who had either lived through that tragedy or did not know what was going to come of them later on. I may not have been able to visibly read what was said on those objects or know how they got found---but I am grateful for the chance I had to reflect on how lucky I am to be a citizen of this nation. #NeverForget

Eight Weeks

This is how many weeks are left until my best friend ties the knot with her soon to be husband & if you ask me along with my best friends--there is plenty of excitement in the air. I am excited for her to begin this new chapter of life with someone she loves so much and looking forward to what their future holds for them. 

Our best friend Camille made a quick stop by the house and handed me, my twin sister Cassidy a light colored greenish envelope with a hand written letter alongside money to help us purchase our bridesmaids dresses. We did not waste any time long after she left to look online for what options we'd want to pick from & just make sure it was as close to the color scheme that they had. We received news earlier today that our dresses are being shipped and will be arriving in the next two weeks--which if you must know, cannot show up nearly if not soon enough!!! We sent off the pictures of our dresses to Camille and luckily for us--she was happy with them to say the least after she got a chance to see what they look like. 

LONG STORY SHORT---There are probably more updates and untold stories to come in the fairly distant future!!! I am so excited for the chance to be a bridesmaid once again (in what has been like nearly almost ten years ago when my older sister got married.) This special occasion cannot be more than the biggest & most unforgettable highlight for me, my twin sister and our two best friends!!! We are definitely going to have such a blast getting to walk around with flower bouquets in hand & the biggest smiles on our faces all night long :) Hahaha--Seriously though!!! I am not sure what else to expect other than an unforgettable night to remember with my best friends!! 

(To Be Continued)