Meet Priscilla: a powerhouse self-advocate, award-winning leader, and microbusiness owner who refuses to let life’s unexpected twists slow her down! Whether she is commanding the stage as a conference presenter, mentoring peers, or checking out sleek rides at local car and bike shows, she brings unstoppable energy to everything she does. But of all her impressive titles, there is one she wears with the absolute most pride: being an amazing grandmother. Spunky, resilient, and fiercely independent, Priscilla is the true author of her own story, proving every day that challenges are just part of the adventure.

How are you involved with self-determination? What advocacy work are you involved in?
Priscilla Battle is a self-advocate, peer mentor, conference presenter, moderator, microbusiness owner, and the winner of the 2025 Diehard Award. In 2019, her life changed drastically when her previously hidden, invisible disabilities began becoming visible, bringing unpredictable daily challenges like temporary speech loss, severe pain that restricts limb movement, and seizure-like episodes triggered by sensory inputs. Her journey with self-determination became deeply personal when it was suggested that she move into a group home after living independently for over 30 years. Refusing to be put into a box that did not fit her life, she fought back alongside her cousin and employer at C. Renee Consulting, ultimately securing the necessary supports to remain safely in her own home. Today, she uses her experiences to encourage others with disabilities to find and use their voices, firmly believing that they belong in every conversation where decisions are being made about their lives. Reflecting on her resilience, Battle notes, "Sometimes I feel like my brain is forever fighting against my desire to be great—but I keep pushing forward," she added.

Tell us some good news! What's the most exciting thing happening for you—or in Wisconsin—in terms of self-determination?
Priscilla is deeply enthusiastic about the growth of a stronger community of self-advocates and peer mentors in Wisconsin. She highlights their collective efforts to help individuals with disabilities learn how to use their voices, understand their choices, and step into leadership roles within their own lives and communities. To counter the common issue of outside decisions being made without including the people they affect, she emphasizes a straightforward approach to understanding people with disabilities, asserting, "Listen to us!" Through sharing experiences, asking questions, and standing up for their rights, self-advocates are actively driving change. She is particularly focused on engaging high school students and young adults early on so they can grasp the principles of self-advocacy and self-determination before others attempt to define their futures. Ultimately, she sees a shifting landscape where individuals with disabilities are not merely asking to be heard, but are actively becoming mentors, presenters, business owners, and community leaders who are empowering the next generation to recognize that their voices truly matter.

What are some of your hobbies?
When Priscilla is not busy advocating, mentoring, presenting, or managing her business, she fills her time with crafting, cooking, traveling, and attending car and bike shows. However, her absolute favorite role in life is being an amazing grandmother, a title she wears with immense pride. Spending time with her family brings her immense joy and serves as a powerful reminder that despite life's daily challenges, there is still so much to celebrate and enjoy. For her, these moments are all about family, laughter, love, and making lasting memories with the people who mean the absolute most to her. Reflecting on the happiness her family brings, she shares, "Being a grandmother brings me so much joy."

Any final thoughts you'd like to share?
Priscilla acknowledges that her journey has not always been easy, and she continues to write her own story every single day. Through her experiences, she has learned that self-determination is far more than a program, policy, or phrase—it is deeply personal. For her, it means having the freedom to decide where she lives, choosing who supports her, speaking up when something feels wrong, and having people truly listen to her instead of speaking for her. While her disabilities are a part of her story, they do not define the whole story. She is a self-advocate, peer mentor, presenter, business owner, grandmother, and leader who ultimately remains the sole person who gets to decide what comes next in her life.

***We love hearing the views and opinions of Network members. We need to mention that the views and opinions expressed on this site are those of the person who is sharing them. They do not necessarily reflect InControl Wisconsin or any of our supporters and funders.