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 Self Determination Presentation (Next Wednesday)

One of my colleagues and I are excited to teach about this important topic at the tenth annual NINJA youth leadership conference next week. I am looking forward to giving this message of hope for those delegates who will be participating with us and learning about what it means to be self determined. It's definitely a treat to return back to a conference where my self advocacy journey began and luckily this experience will be one to remember. We also have a fun activity incorporated with our presentation that hopefully everybody likes answering questions to and not feeling bored out of their minds, if you know what I am saying??? #NinjaForLife

Friendly Send-Off (August 2022)

I'm not certain if this will end up being a surprise or just one of those heartfelt experiences that comes once in a lifetime?? It is definitely going to be a very tender moment for me as I see my time with this youth leadership committee come to a bittersweet end & not knowing what the future holds is a really emotional feeling to think about. I can guarantee there will be tears involved with seeing my years of service with this committee not being needed and realizing my youth days are over will be even more tender hearted than I could ever put into words. I am not ready to grow up and not be involved with an area of my life that I have grown to love so much--but can only hope for the best as I tearfully move on with other things. (More about this later!!!)

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Free Entry

Self Advocacy Conference (Next Week)

I'm excited for this conference to kickstart on a positive note and can make up for lost time with all of my friends who I have sorely missed so much. It will be an amazing experience for everyone who signed up to participate with us and hopefully can learn some more things, in regards to being a self advocate within the disability community. I really hope that some of my NINJA friends will be there and can support all of us who have worked so hard into making this conference happen, which if you ask me is a completely and different story for another time. (More about this later on!!!)

NACDD Conference (Travel Process)

All I ever did was send off my issued state identification card in an email and in the hopes it didn't end up getting lost or misplaced somewhere. I am truly hoping this national conference will be an experience for me to remember and learn as much as I can about what other DD councils are working on all over the United States, which if you ask me I'm sure is pretty legitimate stuff. (Hahaha!!! Please stay tuned for more!!)

Ninja Conference Tribute (Repetitive Post)

"TEN YEARS AGO—I decided to take a chance to participate in a disability youth leadership conference & little did I know how much of an impact it would have on my life all these years later. It ended up being one of the best decisions I ever made with trying to learn as much as I could in regards to all that being a self advocate is. I am grateful for the kindness and unconditional love that everyone has shown me throughout these past ten years and just giving me an experience I’ll never forget. It is really bittersweet for me to have to say goodbye to what has shaped me into the person I am today and hope to be in the future. I LOVED all that this conference taught me as I returned back year after year, knowing my heart will forever be a part of this event I will keep close to my heart. I genuinely look forward to seeing what other things my friends will accomplish. Thank you so much for changing my life forever and giving me opportunities that I will keep close to my heart." #NINJAForLife

Headlines

NACDD Conference (Washington)

It's obvious that my chances of being selected for this are not likely and whatever does happen is all in the hands of who makes the final decision. I would love to visit another state in our country that I have never seen before and can only hope to one day see that dream come true. It would be an amazing experience to learn more about what other developmental disability councils are working on to make our lives have a lot more purpose instead of just being excluded from this world. I am not certain my presence will be needed at this national event due to the fact-- I am not as experienced in a lot of things as you would easily think but you get the idea here??? Unless I hear of anything more in regards to this, I will keep you all updated on whatever happens next in my life!!!

People First Conference (Two Weeks)

This unforgettable event cannot arrive soon enough!!! I am excited for a chance to educate and inspire so many individuals with disabilities about the importance of self determination, while including a very fun filled activity that I hope everybody likes. It has been such a long time from when I was able to have any interactions with my friends since the health epidemic arrived & luckily it is completely died itself out of here. I am ready for a chance to make up for lost conversations and laughs that will be shared with every one who will be in attendance with us. Please stay tuned for updates and stories to come!!!

Ninja Conference (Repetitive)

It's been a part of my life for almost ten years and that to me has come and gone a little too fast. I am so grateful for the opportunity to head up to an event I love so much and not being as involved as I used to be has felt really weird. I am definitely going to be the most sentimental person in the room as I make a way through something that I've never looked back with regrets. It has been extremely painful for me-- with not being as involved as I have been in years past and it feels weird all the way around. I am truly saddened that my tender time with this conference has to come to a bittersweet end and not knowing if there will be anything for me in the future is another story. (More about this later!!!)

Free Write

  Youth Member Guidebook (Mini Edition)

EARLIER TODAY---I sent an email to all of my committee members in regards to an idea that has been on my mind for awhile and wanted to get their input. I legitimately wished there had been a youth member guidebook created for not only me, but future youth members who might consider or think about applying to be on USILC. It would have been nice for me to have something I could refer back to if I needed some answers to questions about what my leadership role is on the council and everything else in between. You get the idea here??? I am really excited to know what other members of my committee think about making this happen as we move along with stuff into the future. I truly love this committee with all of my heart & soul which if you ask me is nothing short of an understatement. It has given me opportunities to learn and grow into the disability leader, self advocate, mentor and friend that I want to be for others across the state of Utah. (Please stay tuned for more updates on this later!!!)

Ninja Presentation Update: (Date Change)

I'm excited to announce that my presentation with a colleague of mine has been set in place and I am not so prepared for this to unfold. I know it will bring back lots of mixed emotions in my heart as I walk back onto a campus where my self advocacy journey began and can only hope for an unforgettable experience that is going to leave a mark on this world. I genuinely hope we can make a good impression and have a very heartfelt review from everybody in hopes to return back for future NINJA conferences!!! :) 

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Hilary Weeks - Keep Going

It's been an emotional rollercoaster for me to get here and not hide away from what is in my heart. I am grateful for the peace of mind this beautiful song and others have given me, when life was almost a little too unbearable to deal with and relearning lessons on a daily basis. It's obviously not been easy for me to lash out my feelings and not take the time to listen to what is being said... which is something I can make lots of improvements on everyday. I need to keep on going and not pretending to be someone that I'm not meant to be in this world--which sometimes is harder than you would think. I have never felt like this an issue that my heart needs to learn from and understand a little more, that will give me a peace of mind & not worrying about what others think. It has gotten harder for me to see the clearer picture of things here and yet I know is just a little bump in the road, that all of us come across at one time or another. I am so grateful for the opportunities that I have to keep on going and not taking what I do not know as close to heart as I have done way too many times in the past. This mistake of mine is one that I am confident is going to change my perspective on so many things and recognizing why it is so important to not have control over what other people are doing. It has given me a lot of reasons to understand why things in everyday life have to continue happening and keeping my mouth quiet as much as I can possible. I am grateful for the forgiveness that my Savior, Jesus Christ has for me and no matter what mistakes that I have made throughout my lifetime--He's always forgiven and loved me for who I am in his eyes. I love him so much and would not be the person I am today if it not had been for his example. He has allowed me chances to be someone who tries everyday to do better and not affront to what could have happened instead of the other way around.

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Mini Break

When I created this blog of mine six years ago---I only had a legitimate goal to write up 279 posts in honor of my favorite television sitcom, "The Big Bang Theory." However, I have been able to overly succeed the limited amount of posts I wanted to share with you all and it has become such an amazing experience for me. I have loved being able to share what is in my heart and getting my message clearly across to people about who I am without trying to impress or draw attention to myself. It's given me so much more perspective in some way I can make improvements with my writing abilities and with four hundred posts later--not making anymore posts until I am in a much better place.

LONG STORY SHORT---My anxiety has again taken over me in ways that I can only hope is slightly temporary and not an forever ride of mixed emotions. It has been extremely hard for me to pretend like this battle of mine is not a real thing that everybody struggles with and yet I have not kept this hidden off anymore. I am not sure if my heart needs me to do this in order to recognize how much of a stronger young women I am or if I am just simply too lazy to blog about stuff on here. Who knows??? 

I didn't legitimately realize that sharing experiences from "A Dancer's Life" would lead me into making this choice but I am not ready to continue blogging until my mental health is taken care of. I am grateful for my friends---who have stuck with me through an experience that I know is an never ending battle, but one that I know I am not the only person who struggles with this on a daily basis--but my inner thoughts need to recuperate themselves a little bit. (This is not necessarily a permanent decision by any means, but one that I have just really needed for some time now and I could not think of a more perfect time to unwind from blogging for what will only be a short period--not a lengthy one unless it needs be.)

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Mini Stories

BYUWBB Team:

Wishing you ladies all the best as you enter into the NCAA basketball tournament this weekend!! I know you girls are going to put it all out there on the court as you prepare for what I hope will be an amazingly unforgettable experience!! I'd love for you all to know that regardless of whatever the end outcome is, keep in mind that each one of you is incredible and that you gave it a hundred and twenty percent. I look forward to cheering you ladies on from my home and hoping it all turns out well :) I cannot wait to watch you all bring home the title that is on the line this year and can only hope that even if you do not win--all of you are still winners!!! #GoLadyCougars #iBleedBlue 

Volunteering Presentation (Saturday Afternoon)

Once again I have an opportunity this weekend to present on a topic that means a lot to me and one of my colleagues on the speakers network. I am excited for the chance to share about my experiences with being a volunteer in my community and giving back to others without anything in return. I only hope that both of us will make a good impression on everybody who will be participating with us and touch their hearts in some way or another. 

Ninja Planning Committee (Unofficial News)

It's certainly going to be sentimental for me as I participate on this committee again and give it a hundred and fifty percent. I am definitely not prepared for the unexpected tears of gratitude and love that will fall down my cheeks as I make sure this conference ends up successful. I am grateful for this conference and everything it has done for me the past ten years, which if you ask me is nothing close to an understatement. (Stay tuned for more updates!!!)