Weekly Notice

As I prepare to meet my representative this next week, I'll need to write down some notes in regards to what I can about an issue that highly effects people in the disability community. I've had a little bit of a concern in the sense with my independent living center not being able to either have enough funding to continue keeping youth program coordinators in employed. It has been such a frustration for me being a self advocate with getting new people almost every year and not getting a chance to know them as well as I'd like to. I am legitimately certain this issue is somewhat different from what I'll need to share with my representative about how this can get taken care of and not be a problem anymore. I am really having the hardest time with trying to maintain my anxiety when things like this happen and I'm not sure what more I can do to make it better. 

(End Of Part One)

Other Stories:

My other governor appointed council will select and vote on a new member to join us!!! I cannot wait to work a little bit closer with this person and trying to learn as much as I can from them. I know it will be a little bit sentimental due to the fact we will be approving a new executive director who is the most selfless person I know in this world. I am grateful for their passionate dedication to the IL community here in Utah and making it such an inclusive place for everyone!!! I may or may not be a little teary eyed knowing their life is going to be changed forever and can only hope that everyone else will approve of them too. I will be keeping my fingers crossed and in hopes they can feel the unconditional love, endless support and just an overwhelming sense of gratitude in their heart for taking on this new leadership role. 

Mini Updates

Disability Advocacy Day (Online Event)

After the struggles I had with this virtual event last year, I could not be more thrilled to have the format changed to be a little more interactive and engaging. I can only hope it will give me much more insight and details into the legislative process in a more simplistic and approachable way... which if you ask me, is pretty much how I roll in this world. I am most likely going to support and participate in at least TWO sessions that my favorite colleagues will be doing in regards to their field with self advocacy and how we can better communicate or talk with our legislators. It's hard for me to not feel the least bit outside with all of this stuff because I don't necessarily know who my legislators are well enough, to sit down and have a conversation with them about issues inside the disability community. #ItsTheTruth #ImJustSaying #Legit

LCPD Reception (Capitol Rotunda)

Minus the endless list of restrictions and protocols that we have to follow, I am excited to finally get back in person with seeing my friends who I have greatly missed so much. I am not particularly certain just if all of them will be in attendance at this event and can only hope for a more relaxed experience this time-- as opposed to the other times when it has felt a little bit overwhelming. I am truly hoping that we can all enjoy our time together and catch up after what has been an emotional rollercoaster of uncertainty due to the circumstances that we are being dealt with. #NINJA4Life 

(End Of Post)

Untitled Post

 New USILC Sidekick (Mini Version)

I could not be more than excited about getting to work alongside one of the best people I've ever known within the disability community on my governor appointed council. It is exciting to have a fresh brand new face to join us while we continue making an impact on the lives of people with disabilities. This is where my self advocacy began a little over ten years ago and can only imagine all of the unforgettable memories that we will make together as a group. It is such a delight getting to learn and be inspired by some of the most incredible people that I've ever met in my life, as well as trying to be that good role model for others. 

Volunteering my time on this governor appointed council has been a dream come true for me, in more ways than one!!! I am grateful for the many incredible people who have helped me to believe in myself when it almost felt next to impossible, motivating me to always give it my best in everything that I do, among so many other things. Some of the most meaningful council initiatives that I have loved being a part of are: NINJA Conference, Youth Leadership Committee, (which if you ask is just the beginning of what is to come into the future and both of these have impacted me in an endless amount of ways.) I am grateful for the ways these have stretched me to become the most legitimate version of myself over these past several years. 

(To Be Continued)

Timeline

January:

Essentials

What an unforgettable experience getting to learn more about "Why do I need to advocate" among so many other things in between. I am so grateful for the opportunity to participate in this virtual event and in hopes to get a little more interaction with people who will be participating with us.

February: 

Prom Night

Getting another chance to once again participate in this worldwide prom event is a dream come true!!! It's such a fun experience to spend quality time with my friends and make memories that we will cherish for the rest of eternity. If you have never heard about this event before, you are definitely missing out on such an incredible movement that continues to impact the lives of people like me and many others. Please stay tuned for an update on this event once it gets closer!! :) 

March:

Recuperates

This month was one of the hardest for me on so many levels and yet I continued to recognize how much better I can be when it comes to boundaries as well as keeping my mental health in check at all times. It was extremely hard for me to not participate on a meeting and not have tears rolling down my cheeks--- because I felt like I must be too much of a burden on someone's plate. I have really grown so much with in the last year and can only hope to do better from here on out--(or into the future!!)

April: 

Perfect Birthday

I legitimately made the decision to give a colleague of mine their own birthday post :) I know it was not going to be the last one I would ever let them know about or pretend like it didn't mean something deep down inside of them. I am so grateful for this person who has continuously put up with me in ways that no one should ever have to face either on their own or in everyday life-- but I knew in my heart they did need someone to show that they cared!!

June:

Conferenced Out

This virtual NINJA Conference was probably more enjoyable than the one before. It was such a visible struggle for me to not lash out my emotions and want to hide away from everything bad that had been going on in the world. I felt a little more at peace with trying to pay more attention to the lessons and skills we needed to learn as self advocates, mentors and people within the disability community on a regular basis. I truly cannot owe USILC nearly enough for changing my life in a way that will stay w/ me forever and I am so grateful for everything they have done to make me the self advocate that I am today. 

August:

Nomination

This nomination from my best friend Camille somehow unexpectedly came true!!! I didn't necessarily believe that just because my name was getting put inside of the ring-- I would even find myself actually doing all of the tasks I have been asked to tackle. Little did I know what an unforgettable honor and just overall privilege it would be for me to lead virtual meetings with the best group of self advocates ever and continuing to learn from them every other month is an amazing experience.

October:

Official Chair

Ninja Trailer

Getting the privilege to serve in this leadership capacity has been life changing and I cannot thank all of my friends nearly enough for their unconditional love, support, patience, kindness and everything else in between that they have given me when I have felt like I am not deserving of it whatsoever. It's been an amazing experience for me to step out of my comfort zone and learn new ways to showcase all of my leadership skills. 

#NINJAPrideForever

November:

Special Event

My best friend Camille tied the knot with her now husband Sam & I could not be more than happy for them!!! I truly loved being a part of her special day with smiles and laughs to share all day long-- which if you ask me did get a little exhausting after some time, but it was an unforgettable day that I know will be cherished forever. 

Memories

This year in 2021 has given me a fair share of unknown challenges and obstacles that nobody should ever have to go through in their lifetime. It has been an emotional rollercoaster with not knowing if I am doing the right things or just trying to make a complete fool of myself almost everyday if you can even believe it. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities to keep doing better and making sure that I can do only the best efforts I have to make a good impression on those I work with and will for the next couple of years of my life. #ToBeContinued 

Here are some of my favorite highlights and memories from this past year:

Being nominated/elected as the new chair person for my youth leadership committee has been nothing short of an incredible experience for me!!!! I have continued to learn so much in regards to what I can keep doing better to make sure I take care of myself and refocusing on myself a little more. I am truly lucky to have an amazing group of people that are cheering me on everyday and making sure that I'm getting judged for my performances. 

Participating in various disability conferences and committees throughout my time as I serve in the many leadership capacities that I have been able to either plan or give input on has been a delightful experience for me. I am grateful for the abilities that I do have to make these events successful and not something for people to forget in the years to come. I am grateful for the support system of people who are always there when I need someone to talk to about anything and not being afraid to take care of myself whenever it is possible for me to do that. 

Learning from the best of the best in our state on a regular basis has been a dream come true!!! I cannot express my gratitude nearly enough times for how much they have shown me what being a true leader is and not worrying about what mistakes I've made in the past or anything of that nature. It has been an incredible journey for me to learn and feel inspired by their words of motivation to know that I will not get anywhere in life unless I legitimately do something about it. 

Trying my hardest to maintain boundaries with people that I dearly look up to so much and hope I can be like when I grow up. They have strengthened me through their goodness of what is going to help me fulfill my dreams in life and making certain I have my voice heard when it is necessary. I am grateful to know that I can communicate with others in a very mature manner and not feel afraid to ask for help if I ever need it at any given moment. It has been one of the hardest things for me to learn this year as I just continuously struggle with the endless list of restrictions that life has never stopped giving me and I am definitely a better person than ever before. 

(End Of Part One) 

Free Write

People First Conference (May 2022)

Me and one of my NINJA friends are going to participate on this planning committee, to give ideas on how to promote self advocacy within the disability community, helping to make decisions on activities and presenters, etc. I cannot wait for this to get rolling as we enter into a brand new year and hopefully this can be an in person event. When I was last participating on a committee like this one, it was this summer and we had the most legit as well as informative virtual conference ever!! I truly loved being able to give my time and energy into something that I knew would change my life forever. It was such an amazing experience for me to really showcase all of my leadership skills that I have continued to work so hard on throughout these past few years!!!

Special Entry

Ty,

"It's not goodbye, It's see you later..."

It's been such a delight to work with you on this committee, that will forever hold a special place in my heart. You and I have definitely experienced more than we wanted to handle, minus all of the tears that were shed along the way--but I am grateful for your patience with me as I have taken on a role that I never imagined myself being able to tackle. You have inspired me to always push myself to do hard things and never care about what others think, staying true to myself in almost every situation, etc. I am so grateful for the opportunities that you have allowed me to have as I served with such an amazing group of people, who I know are going to change this world for the better. I truly cannot thank you nearly enough for the ways you have inspired, encouraged, motivated me to not ever second guess an opportunity that comes into my path and remembering who I am. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for being who you are and I will always remember every "Hard Knocked Life Lesson" you taught me during these past two years. I will miss serving with you in this capacity-- more than you could ever possibly know and just know that my heart will stick with this YLC forever!!

(Instagram Post - Coming June 2022)