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Utah Youth Advocate Leadership Committee (Marketing Experience)

YESTERDAY AFTERNOON--- I had an opportunity to be involved with creating a brand new logo for this committee and it was truly an experience to remember. I enjoyed getting to participate in the creative process of what it would look like and talk about a meeting that should have only lasted for an hour turned into almost two!!! It was definitely exciting to share this experience with two of the most amazing people in my life and listening to their ideas about what it needed to look like-- was such a delight for me!! I don't have much information to share about this right now but please stay tuned for updates and stories to come down the road--(which may not happen for some time and I'll try to be patient as much as I can!!!)

So Many Laughs

One of the many things that I've enjoyed about this committee-- is getting to work alongside my own peers who have inspired me to see the good in life and not be afraid to share my opinion. I know that it is not typically something I hide away from at all-- but rarely do I ever feel comfortable telling any person I talk to about how I deeply feel inside about something that needs to be taken care of. It was a real treat for me to not only take this assignment to heart, but to have a little bit of extra fun along the way if ya know what I mean?? We enjoyed getting to make each other laugh pretty hard while trying to have a discussion about what the upcoming and new brochure will look like,  while we try to reach out to youth with disabilities about our NINJA Conference!!! It has been repeated from me so many times, but I have loved being a part of the event for six years and the many new opportunities that are in front of me--- never would have happened if I had not joined in on this conference when I did.

Favorite Highlight

I have only met this cute little bunny friend of mine through various Zoom calls on the computer and not ever in person-- but let me tell you this: He definitely is in for a treat once we get a chance to see each other and quite frankly I am anxious to spend time with him if that ever happens!! He is such an adorable bunny with legitimate talents that I cannot wait to see for myself... but as you can imagine, I am such a fan of him more than words could ever say. His name is Curtis and let me tell you that just seeing him asleep yesterday warmed my heart so much---(which if you must know completely made my heart melt.) His incredibly sweet owner quietly mentioned to him as he was sleeping my name & that I love him so much!!! My Goodness--- I have nothing more than just absolute unconditional love for him and it is not a complete understatement if you ask me!!! 

Calmed Down

Conclusion:

As I've posted countless entries about how much this year has affected me, there has come a point in my life where I need to leave it all in the past. I have not enjoyed being in the situation that our world is faced up against throughout these last couple of months and other times- it has left me not having a clue about what to do next. This quote has certainly never rung more true inside my heart than it does now because of how I've made myself feel over the last couple weeks, but also realizing that I cannot predict when things with our invisible enemy will die itself away. 

I have contemplated many times about the perception of how my attitude has changed over time and remembering that there is not much of anything I can do to turn this back to where it came from. It is obvious my life has not been the same like it was this time last year and having a lot of legitimate and wonderful events that I'd prepare to get excited for, but due to the circumstances we are still in--I will have to wait up and see what happens after this craziness is all behind us one million percent. #StayTunedForNextYearUpdatesAboutThis

I am hopeful this time next year we are in a much different place and can look forward into a lot more social activity. I have legitimately liked being able to join with my friends on virtual calls but also w/ the perspective that it is easier to be a part of things than isolate yourself somewhere. I'd never want to make a complete fool of myself because I was too scared about being able to face someone again, which is only a major reason as to why I made the choice to stick with it. I know it is what needed to happen for me and especially with how I didn't want to be consistently told about boundaries when I have had to deal with restrictions like they are. 

If there is one lesson that I've learned from 2020 so far... (Read the quote above and contemplate on how it can be used in your own life!!!) I'm not just here to admit that it has more to do with the crazy pandemic stuff going on, but also realizing I cannot do much about it other than try to move forward in hopes for a better outcome when it is all over with. 

Free Write

Utah Statewide Independent Living Council (Membership Update)

I've not necessarily made it onto this council quite yet--expect for the one assignment that is left to complete is the resume for my application and hope to make a good impression. I know it does not seem like too much right now after everything that it has taken me to reach this point---but I am so grateful for any chance that I cannot pass up and leave an imprint on the hearts of everyone I'll get a chance to meet. I am excited for this amazing new opportunity of a lifetime and getting to learn lots of new leadership skills from such remarkable individuals who are committed to making our lives a reality in more ways than I could ever begin to put into words. It has been on my mind to be one of the members of this council for some time and until this year came around---I never let the thought leave my mind for even a second. I am truly gonna leave this decision in the hands of those who are going to make the choice and hopefully it will be what is best for everybody involved. I cannot wait for those endless blog posts about my experiences with this council to be shared on here and getting myself out of my comfort zone---to impact other peoples lives. It is definitely gonna be an adventure for me to taken on come next month at some point when the decision gets finalized, but I certainly do know everything will just simply work out for the best and hope that I am not disappointed no matter how things end up being like for whoever the council recommends to have a spot on their committee. I have been a part of this non profit organization for six years now and cannot wait to know what it will be like as I move forward with this next step in my life, to find out a little bit more about what I can do to make sure people with disabilities are being treated like everyone else in this world. I have to keep it in perspective that whatever ends up happening from this-- I will have given it my best shot and know that I was able to make a good impression in some way. Stay tuned for updates to come!!! 

Online Event

This week I participated in my first virtual disability conference ever and what an incredible time it was for everybody involved. It was so much fun getting to learn from all of the youth and staff who were participating with us, but I cannot take slightly any credit for how successful it turned out. I'll admit that I did miss not being able to spend in person time with this group of people who are truly like a second family and listening to the insight of each speaker we had on the call with us. I loved being able to learn about what it means to be a self advocate and make changes in the world, in so many ways that I would never have otherwise learned before. 

There are too many highlights for me to share about this week--- but I will admit there was never a dull moment with anybody on those calls!!! This conference has been a part of my life for a couple years now and whenever I have the chance to return back--- it always leaves me with a feeling that there is only so much more I can improve on. I know there a lot more goals in my life that I need to set and hopefully one can will be able to see become a reality. 

I truly loved all of the presenters that came onto this conference and shared their insights about what it means to understand that we can do anything-- no matter if it takes a little extra time, but knowing we can have support in everything we do is incredible. I also really liked being able to learn and look at things that everyone was learning in a different perspective, which to me is always such a treat for everyone!!! 

One of my favorite things that I was nervous about is giving my first ever virtual presentation on a Zoom call and quite frankly.. I could not have been more excited to share a message of hope as well as confidence with everybody. It was such a delight for me to teach all of my friends about the very importance of being able to speak up for yourself and having support with anything that life's gonna throw at them. 

Favorite Highlight:

Prior to an activity that I was going to have everybody help out with--- I shared something that may not have been important to my NINJA peeps-- but it does mean a lot to me. (To make this a heartfelt story short--- When I attended the National Pageant for my Miss Amazing title, I worked really hard to earn this optional volunteer service award & I pretty much had to keep a record of all the hours w/ each organization that I was with, but also to have written letters of proof that I was doing what I had been asked & not making stuff up. I was thrilled to have earned the gold medal after I had completed over a significant amount of volunteer service hours and it was such an indescribable moment for me to know that I worked really hard to make that goal of mine a dream come true!!! 

Spoiled

In excitement for my virtual NINJA Conference next week--- I was thrilled for a surprise about the heartfelt and legitimate care package that arrived on my front porch. I was definitely anxious to see what was inside and then putting the pieces together in my head, I could not have been more stoked for something in my life!!! Okay... I am just being a little over board with this, but it does leave such a meaning of unconditional love and knowing that me and my friends are being watched out for is an incredible feeling. 

Talk about some much needed items that are gonna help me through the rest of what has continued to be a real struggle for me in ways, it may not be for most people. I know that on an emotional level---- this entire year has not been easy for me and pretending to keep a brave face on these days (at times if not more often than I can admit) has gotten a little easier but I still cannot think of just how much my life has changed in a manner of weeks and months alone. I am excited about my new upcoming spot on this disability council that I blogged about last month and cannot wait to see what other adventures I will be able to experience with such phenomenal individuals like myself. 

Inside of this care package: (Mini Preview)

Candy Galore (I am pretty legitimately sweet if you ask me!!!) It is definitely not gonna be eaten all in one setting if you know what I mean?! But I am grateful for the many fun activities and fidgets I'll hang onto as well to make me feel some more at ease during the online event.

Adult Coloring Book 

I'll definitely be using that as much as possible and trying to color my heart out-- because I have not done that for some time because I felt like it was never something I'd enjoy being able to do. I am so grateful to know that there will be hours of making the best of my time and trying to keep my mind-- completely off things whenever I have an opportunity. It is certainly gonna save my life to know that I can always choose to keep myself busy and not trying to continue have teardrops rolling down my cheeks on a weekly basis. 

(End of Part One) 

Fearless

Ninja Conference 2019

I was grateful for the incredible opportunity that I had to present a training about Supported Decision Making for self advocates and happily accepted the invitation. I had such little time on my hands with trying to make certain that the message I'd share with all of my favorite people--- would not only be a good one, but also inspire them to think of a new alternative to use in their lives. To make this a very long story short---I was looking at this graph about the results of how each session with the NINJA Conference turned out and mine surprisingly turned out more successful than I expected.

Weeks Away (Pure Excitement)

I wrote up a blog post on here about getting reached out to about doing a virtual presentation on this exact same topic and could not pass up the opportunity for someone. This past week I have worked really hard to make sure this mini class session will turn out alright & be well received from every single person who will be in attendance!!! It definitely had feeling a little bit swamped for a short period of time with knowing if I would not go over the limit I had been given and trying to fit in a somewhat legit activity everyone can be a part of. 

Mentor Spotlight (2 Minutes)

I am excited for this opportunity to share the importance of what leaderships means to me & hoping to as well make a good impression on the delegates/staff who will be listening. I know it is certainly not in person and getting to see my friends faces about how much it means to set a good, positive & meaningful example of what being a good leader is. I can only hope for the best in trying to crunch all of this down in two minutes and not any much more than that---but I am thrilled to sort of kinda mentor everybody once again!!!

Energized

Mini Flashback (January 13th, 2020)

Back in January--- I had long awaited to be a member on this extraordinary and wonderful committee with individuals who are just like me that want to get their voices out in this world-- (let alone try to make some sort of difference.) I know that my life has not been the easiest at times not only through this crazy stuff but realizing how much of an impact I'd love to continue being a much better self advocate than I am right now... but if you ask me, I have absolutely loved every minute of being able to put my most significant passion in life to work and having done it for three years is just nothing short of incredible!!! 

I am so grateful for an opportunity of being able to put my leadership & advocacy skills to the test---but also making new lifelong friendships that will hold a special place in my heart for years to come. There has never been an legitimate NINJA on this committee before-- but to finally admit there is one now and could not be more than ecstatic for a new adventure!!!! 

Utah Statewide Independent Living Council,

You were truly one of my back up plans for when if things didn't work out with this brand new position that I had long awaited to hear from. This is not necessarily the end of the road for me to continue pushing through as a genuine self advocate and making an impact on the lives of those with disabilities who want to be accepted into society. I definitely want to become just an even more dedicated, passionate, hard working self advocate for many young adults with disabilities in this world & letting them know they can do anything in life. I'm not gonna be leaving my spot on the YAC whatsoever and I will continue participating on our many Zoom Meetings if you all will let me do so!!! This new experience is something that I have looked so forward to for quite awhile now and does not mean my heart is leaving you all behind with taking care of everything by yourselves. Even though I have not been approved yet by the person who makes the final decision---I am ready for a new journey to begin in my life & cannot wait to see where it will take me next. 

Mini FYI Here:

(I've gotten accepted for membership on the Utah Developmental Disabilities Council as well as in hopes the Governor (who makes the legitimate approval about me getting recommended for this new position!!!) I am not gonna necessarily know too much of anything until either some time this late summer or in the early fall.) Please stay tuned for updates to come!!!