Extra Updates

I'm so grateful for the incredible semester that I was able to have in my adaptive needs institute class this year. I really loved spending quality time with our friends who were in class and being inspired by them every week--which if you ask me was not an understatement. We had a wonderful experience feeling the spirit testify of us every week about what we were learning and sharing our thoughts with one another as often as possible. I am so blessed to have the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life and knowing that no matter the focus of what I may be going through-- he will always be there for me. I have seen his hand in my life throughout this last year as I was able to overcome and feel his love, no matter what lesson I had to relearn multiple times over. 

Until the new semester begins, I will miss going to class throughout the summer months & learning about my Savior, Jesus Christ on a weekly basis. I am grateful to have been able to learn along with my friends who were in the class and hearing their testimonies of the gospel was inspiring. This semester has really strengthened my testimony more than ever before and given me hope for what it is to come in the future, whatever it may be. I have gained a better relationship with heavenly father throughout this semester and knowing he is in the details of my life brings me peace to my heart. I have realized that when I am clearly focused on him everyday that things are better and usually fall into the right place, when they need to. It's been comforting to know I am never alone and can always kneel in prayer at any time, whenever I need to tell him something on my mind. He has softened my heart when I felt one way about a situation & clearly made me realize that I cannot handle things on my own---but that he will take care of the rest. 

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(To Be Continued)

Next Step

URLEND Program (Unofficial News)

I am not particularly one hundred percent sure if my application will end up being selected to be a part of this leadership program. One of the many questions I completely forgot to ask is if they take NINJAs into something like this... which I still think may be up in the air for those who may not know what I am talking about here!!! I luckily have a lot more time to think about whether or not this will be a good fit for me or if things need to move forward with my life. I definitely hope that no matter the outcome or final results--my advocacy journey continues down the right path. I am grateful to know there is help along the way and that I would not be in this new chapter alone, which I could not be more relieved to hear. I was grateful to have had a chance to meet with one of the many people in charge of this program and learning a little bit more about what lies ahead for me is still kind of a nerve-wracking decision. It is without a doubt in my mind one of the biggest leaps of faith that I've ever taken and can only hope that it has ended up being one of those experiences I can look back on with a smile on my face. I am hopeful to leave a good impression on the selection committee about whether or not I have been chosen for a new leadership role in giving my all into an area of life that I don't feel like I have too much experience in. However, I would love to sincerely continue advocating for individuals in the disability community so much and not being afraid to let their voices be heard, when it really comes to anything they may need a little extra help in. I can only hope to also leave a good impression on the selection committee who makes the final decision about whether I am next in line or need to reapply for next year. (Stay tuned for more!!!) 

Untitled Post

LONG STORY SHORT---One of my colleagues recommended my name to participate along with others on this Utah MHIDD advisory board. I participated in my first meeting today which if you ask me, I tried my hardest to join on time but learned a couple of things about mental health awareness among other stuff that I could bring to the table. I am grateful for an opportunity to continue working next to my colleagues every step of this journey and learn alongside with them. 

BYU Adaptive Show Choir (Spring Concert)

I have only heard good things about what this show choir does and how much fun it is to watch everyone get out on the floor to either dance, sing a song or simply perform alongside their peers. The energy inside of the Smithfield House was electric and everybody was smiling from ear to ear, while clapping to any of the songs that were being played. I loved seeing my friends go out of their comfort zones to perform for a very large crowd with the biggest smiles on their faces!! I was very impressed with the variety of talents- that people in the disability community have whether it's playing the piano or another kind of a musical instrument. I might end up considering the possibility of doing this down the road or if I can find the time to make it work in my busy schedule, we will see what happens from there. One of the many things that touched my heart throughout this entire concert was one of the BYU students mentioned since joining the adaptive show choir, they were able to find out where it is they belong.

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Free Write

Hilary Weeks - Hero

Out of all the heroes in my life, I am truly grateful for my Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ and how he rescued me through a time when I needed it most. He was able to calm my heart and give me the reassurance that I knew was not going to come from anyone else other than him. He reminded me of who I am in his eyes & no matter how many more times I mess up, he will take care of the rest. I am grateful for the peace he was able to bring to my mind as I kneeled down on my knees to have a conversation with him and knowing he still loved me so much was incredibly comforting. He was able to provide me a much greater perspective on what I needed to do going forward & not just simply relying on what I thought needed to happen given the circumstances of my situation.

EARLIER THIS WEEK---My twin sister and I along with our best friends got ourselves together to make a card for one of our best friends who is going through a lot in their life right now. I am not going to share any of the details here about what has occurred since I last posted, but it was overall something we knew needed to be done. I cannot even describe how much of a blessing it has been for us to join together and hope our best friend receives the help they need to feel better. I am especially grateful that we were able bring some light into the situation that is taking place and know through our Savior, Jesus Christ things will fall into place.

It probably won't be in the papers

It won't be talked about in the morning news

And you and heaven might be the only ones

Who ever know all the good that you do.

You've never done it for the glory

You're not looking for fame

And you and I both know it's never gonna 

make you wealthy

But you give just the same.

At the end of the day

I can't help but wonder if you know

You're a hero

Quietly changing one life at a time

You may never know what a difference

You've made in mine

I hope someday you'll see

You're a hero to me.

You give everything that you have

And then you keep on giving

You always know what to say

And you know when to make us laugh

And when to let us cry

Your faith gives us faith

To the soul that is lost

To the weak and the weary

You're heart is a home

You're a hero

A friend to the lonely

A light in the dark

You may never know 

What a blessing you are

Maybe someday you'll see

You're a hero to me

We may not speak the words

But they'll see it in our eyes

They'll see it in our eyes

You're a hero

Quietly changing one life at a time

You may never know what a difference

you've made in mine

I hope someday you'll see

You're a hero to me

You're a hero to me.

As you can see from reading this post, I am blessed to have many heroes in my life who have provided me strength when I needed it the most and cannot thank them nearly enough for that. I know that each of our lives will have their ups and downs, but knowing how to overcome those hurdles with faith and courage to do better in all things. We may never understand sometimes the trials that we are handed to in our lives, but they will make us stronger and more determined than ever before. These last couple of weeks have not been easy for me or my friends, but we have definitely gotten through it together with each other's support to help us along the way. I am grateful to have them as my heroes among so many others who continuously make me want to see the good in life and never give up on the potential I do have my dreams come true!!! 

(To Be Continued)

Untitled Post

I have neglected to write up anything new on here for some time and wished I had more exciting stuff to share with you. It's been a fairly busy month with trying to prepare for things that are coming up and will be happening in the distant future, which if you ask me is a whole another story. I am definitely grateful to have more time on my hands to focus on myself and learn everyday what I can do better. I do apologize if this blog post doesn't make any sense, due to the fact I have not taken the time to blog about anything for almost a few weeks now. I have definitely taken a lot of time for myself to focus on other things and get prepared for what is to come in the distant future. 

Without going into a lot of details here, I recently applied to participate in a program that has reached out about recruiting self advocates multiple times to share their insight on how best medical professionals can work with people with disabilities. I may not have a lot of experience in regards to what this entails or if I will even be the self advocate they are looking for to be at the table, but we will see what happens once an official decision is made. 

Advocacy & Self Determination Conference (June 2024)

I have participated in this disability conference for a number of years now and always look forward to when it will happen again. I especially like getting to learn new things about how to improve myself in regards to self advocacy skills and pushing myself out of my comfort zone. I am not sure what kinds of sessions will be offered at this year's conference, but I sure hope to get as much out of it as I can without too much trouble. It is definitely one of those things that I appreciate has no age limit because with other conferences that I have attended over the years, it is hard when you have to age out of them because then you feel like as you get older-- there is always so much more to be educated on. I am not particularly sure what else this event will have in store but I am positive there will be stories to tell, laughs to share with all of my friends and an opportunity to continue my self advocacy journey with those I am grateful to work next to on a regular basis. 

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Dream Come True

LAST NIGHT---My dad, along with my twin sister and I attended the BYU Women's final basketball home game at the Marriott Center. It was such an incredible experience to watch two remarkable seniors leave all they had on the court while playing what ended up being the greatest experience of not only their lives, but mine too!!! If you have been following my blog for the last eight years or so, I have blogged about getting to meet a former division one basketball athlete whose YouTube Channel helped me feel happy as I endured through a time of processing what it means to understand that some mistakes just can't be erased. It was without a doubt in my mind, such a huge relief for me to have come across this young woman's social media pages and having my spirits lifted when I needed it most in my life. I genuinely cannot describe into words, how much of an escape it was for me to watch her channel and her simply reminding me to not worry about what others think or let alone not to take life too seriously. Once the fourth quarter was over, all I could think about while walking off the platform was to quickly run over and have these words come out of my mouth: ("I have wanted to meet you for so long and then quietly saying that I have seen her so many times only anticipating when the moment would come that I would finally get to meet her!!") Paisley quickly reacted with a genuine surprised look on her face, to which she did not think twice to not wrap her arms around me in a big hug after I am guessing someone she knew must have conveyed something or maybe it was because she notices all of my comments from her IG posts. Without even thinking about it first, my twin sister had to join the conversation I had so desperately wanted to have with her only to vent about the fact that I follow Paisley on social media. She kindly responded with: "Really?" I really wished we had gotten more time to talk with each other which I hope will happen someday in the distant future, because I had a lot more things that I wished I had been able to tell her. I was briefly able to tell her in a short hug that I look up to her so much and she sweetly replied with: "Awe" and looking at me in the eye with probably no idea that I was not making eye contact with her. #MaybeNextTime #FingersCrossed.

It was truly if not one of the sweetest moments of my life as we both got acquainted with each other & being able to hear from them how my comments towards them have been so sweet--touched my heart in more ways than one!! I am eternally grateful for their influence has taught me to always look for the positive in everything and not worry about others think of me, which I will admit put my faith to the test this past year--but knowing I could have my confidence boosted from this athlete kept me moving forward in life.


I may never be able to thank Paisley nearly enough for all that she has done to keep a smile on my face and remind me of what I am capable of doing which is not anything short of an understatement. I sincerely hope that both our paths will cross again sometime in the distant future and we can get to know each other a little bit better!! #PaisleyHardingSuperFanForever. 

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One Wish

LAST WEDNESDAY EVENING----My dad, twin sister and I attended the BYU Women's Basketball game against their ranked opponent Baylor. It was such a fun night with smiles, yummy treats and did I forget to mention we got a picture with Cosmo?? I loved cheering on the lady cougars and dancing in my seat non-stop without a care in this world. I may have not looked fairly awkward with enjoying myself as much as I did in the moment, but when there is a familiar song playing---I could not help but want to get my dance moves on. I have probably mentioned this before, but I did see a couple who played basketball at BYU walk into the Marriott Center and obviously wanted more than anything to say Hi to them through out the entire game. It was definitely an unforgettable moment to see them cheer on our team in the stands across the way from where my family was seated a few rows up from the court. I am not certain if this fan encounter will actually happen for me in the distant future, but it would be a lifelong dream come true!! If you must know after the basketball game ended---I was slightly hopeful to have gotten a chance to say Hi to them on our way out of the Marriott Center but that did not happen. I did feel slightly bummed about it not taking place, once I saw this athlete go onto the court to celebrate with her teammates, which I will say was not anything short of incredible to see!!! #WishIHadEnergyLikeThat.

There were  also several women's teams who came out onto the basketball court to watch a video in honor of women in sports day and getting to see that take place was incredible. I may not watch a lot of the women sports on a regular basis, but it was so cool to see their excitement from afar, which I will admit was nothing short of an understatement. I also loved watching them throw miniature basketballs out in the crowd which unfortunately I never ended up getting one, but oh well--What can you do?! It was electric to being in the Marriott Center that night and could not help but want to share the joy with everyone else. If I ever do get to another BYU Women's Basketball game that I will finally be able to meet this athlete and be able to thank them for their example in my life.  

(To Be Continued)