Category: Member Spotlight
Meet Rachel! Between working for the state and being involved in different advocacy activities, this busy lady doesn’t have much free time. She enjoys being able to share stories and learn from others. She encourages everyone to speak up for themselves. We’re so fortune to have her as a member of the Network!
What's your story? Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Rachel was born in Miami Beach Florida and then moved to Los Angeles CA in 1998. She did all of my schooling in Los Angeles CA and then moved to Madison WI in 2014. Her favorite thing about living in Wisconsin is being able to go to her boyfriend’s parents’ cabin in the Northwoods.
How are you involved with self-determination? Why did you join the SD Network?
Rachel is one of the hosts on the Self-Determination YouTube channel. Her favorite thing about being a host is being able “share stories and learn from others,” she tells us. She’s also involved in a program called Bridge Builder through LOV Inc. which helps her set goals to be independent in life. She joined the SD network to make friends and socialize with people.
Tell us some good news - what's the most exciting thing happening for you (or in Wisconsin) in term of self-determination?
Rachel enjoys going to work and being independent in the community. She works for the Wisconsin Department of Revenue as a revenue tax assistant. She explains that she likes her job because it varies day to day and she learns lots of new things.
What tip or resource would you like to share with people who want to be more self-determined?
The tip that Rachel would give is to speak up and let your voice be heard. “The reason it’s important for people to speak up for themselves is to let their voices be heard for what they believe in and what is important to them,” she shares.
What are some of your hobbies?
When Rachel isn’t working, she enjoys doing things like playing on her computer, swimming, and hanging out with friends and family including her dog.
***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.
What's your story? Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Cheryl lived on a farm until she was in fourth grade when they moved to Cambridge WI. She graduated from high school there and went on to begin her journey of volunteering, supporting, caring for, admiring, and becoming friends with people with disabilities. “I’m grateful for these experiences for when I was introduced to disability myself, those experiences helped me make it through it all,” she shares. In 2008, she graduated from the UW-Madison with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Rehabilitation. She has enjoyed working with DVR, BPDD, Independent Living Council, AchieveAbilities, and the Employability Project. She also served on the Board of Directors for Access to Independence and Movin’ Out for many years. “I retired last year and I’m enjoying every moment of every day,” she says.
How are you involved with self-determination? Why did you join the SD Network?
“Through what I call seeing into the inside of disability, I saw how self-determination is the key to creating a life just as one wants it to be,“ Cheryl says. She explains that having met the amazing individuals she has, and to have been a part of their amazing journeys, is the most exciting thing she has had the honor to witness.
Having been introduced to disability herself in 1997, she had to speak up to gain what she needed to become what she now and to what she has yet to accomplish. When she saw how the SD Network encourages, guides, supports, and celebrates self-determination, she had to join.
Tell us some good news - what's the most exciting thing happening for you (or in Wisconsin) in terms of self-determination?
Recent very exciting news for Cheryl is that she wrote and recently published an Amazon best-seller “Silencing the Noise of Disability”. The book covers her experiences after being introduced to disability and how she healed.
“It took a lot of work and a lot of support to accomplish this, but practicing self-determination made my dream come true,” she says.
What tip or resource would you like to share with people who want to be more self-determined?
“When it comes to how we want to live our lives, we are the ones who know exactly what we need to do it. We know what works, and what doesn’t, we are the experts of our lives. So, don’t give up looking for and getting what you need to be all you can be. It’s your life and you have every right to find the perfect fit,” Cheryl tells us.
She thinks that one of our greatest resources are those we know. She explains that those who have been with us and for us can support, guide, and fight alongside of you.
What are some of your hobbies?
Cheryl is an avid photographer and rarely does her camera leave her side. Anything outdoors in any season, is my greatest joy.
She loves road trips with friends, or just by myself, as they always lead to amazing experiences.
When it comes to hobbies, I like to say, life is one of mine. I get to form it, build it, play with it, share it, and experience it with pride, joy, and a whole lot of happiness,” she says!
***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.
Meet Kai. This resilient person has recently learned that, through self-determination, they can create their own support system with the people and resources they feel comfortable with. They're confident that, with the right supports, one day they will be able to live independently without any support. We’re so fortune to have them as a member of the Network.
What's your story? Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Kai shares with us that they are a high functioning adult with numerous diagnoses. They tell us that they have had a lot of experience in advocating for themself and the communities that they are a part of.
How are you involved with self-determination? Why did you join the SD Network?
Kai became involved in self-determination for multiple reasons. They explain that a good chunk of their life was spent being treated as either a helpless child or an incompetent, lazy individual by people who believed that they knew what was best for them. These experiences have taught that the only one capable of knowing what is best for a person with a disability is the person themself. “I didn’t even know that self-determination was a thing until this past year, which speaks volumes to the importance of advocating and spreading this crucial information to others in the disability community,” they say.
Tell us some good news - what's the most exciting thing happening for you (or in Wisconsin) in terms of self-determination?
Kai is excited that they learning to advocate for themself. They explain that they are taking necessary steps to build a system that will enable them to one day live independently, without any outside support. “It’ll take time but, with the right resources and supports, I’m confident that it will one day be a reality. My reality,” they exclaim!
What tip or resource would you like to share with people who want to be more self-determined?
Kai shares that the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Dane County is a great place for those who live with a disability to get services, support and referrals to other resources in the community.
What are some of your hobbies?
Kai has many hobbies. They love to read and write stories, watch television or film, play games, consume food or drink she has never tried before, listen to or play music, spend time with animals, hang out with other people, cook food, make baked goods, mix cocktails, exercise, spend time outside, volunteer in the community, go to shows or events and much more! “I’m always open to new things, which means that I’ve developed a lot of hobbies and interests in my twenty-some years of life,” they tell us.
***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.
Meet Martha. This incredible Mom doesn’t let anything stop her. Not only does she advocate for her daughter, she advocates for all families in her district. In addition to being a parent advocate, she also is a ballroom dancer para-athlete. She recently started a non-profit organization to support other para-athlete dancers. She believes self-determination is something we all can appreciate in some way. We’re so fortune to have her as a member of the Network!
What's your story? Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Martha grew up in Watertown, WI and has five younger brothers and an older sister. She was always active in sports like track, basketball, gymnastics and softball during grade school. During high school, she was in cheerleading and softball. She worked in the cafeteria at Luther Preparatory School, later switched to a stocker/Asst Manager at Pick n Save, and also held a server job a Perkins for a short time. She shares with us that she sustained a C6/C7 spinal cord injury (SCI) the year after graduating high school from a car accident in snowy conditions.
“Having a positive attitude amidst a traumatic injury certainly helped, and I certainly had some down days, but all the shining stars at Froedtert got me through it all,” she says.
After all the therapy and finding a new normal, she played wheelchair rugby, went to college, and worked at Walmart in Electronics. She’s twice divorced and has a nine-year-old amazing daughter who energizes the both of us every day. She shares that her daughter has Cerebral Palsy and epilepsy, but even with all their supports, they team up and don't let things get them down. Her daughter has special education programming to support her academic career, and Martha educated herself on the Spec Ed system to support her and other families.
Currently, Martha is a parent peer advocate with Madtown Mommas & Disability Advocates, a Ms. Wheelchair WI Coordinator, and she also am a ballroom dancing para-athlete. She just started a non-profit, Wheels & Heels Inc., to open ballroom dancing up to more participants since cost is definitely a barrier for this particular sport. She performed a showcase this year and will be in competitions in May and July.
How are you involved with self-determination? Why did you join the SD Network?
Martha believes self-determination is something that we all can either appreciate individually, or collectively. “It's all about setting appropriate goals and taking advantage of unique opportunities, she says.
She enjoys and believes networking amongst others is not only essential for my own perspective and experience, but it's equally important to share ourselves with those around us. “Disability in community is what inclusion is all about,” she says.
Tell us some good news - what's the most exciting thing happening for you (or in Wisconsin) in terms of self-determination?
Martha has two things to share. First, she’s excited to be able to work directly with the Madison School District Special Ed Department—it is empowering and impactful. “As much as I advocate for my daughter, I'll go to bat for any family who needs with- with Madtown Mommas right aside me,” she says.
The second that she is wheelchair ballroom dancing. “It's a sport that I can enjoy with my own time commitment for lessons, and draws out creativity. Having been introduced to adaptive dance in a group setting back in 2019, I've been dedicated to learning technique and different styles,” she explains. She'll be in my first competition this year on May 19th for the Milwaukee Classic, where she’ll be judged for Cha-Cha (she'll be the first wheelchair dance competitor in Wi fur cha-cha) and the routine she performed for Dance Fantasy. She loves how her instructors believe in her and continue to challenge her in a variety of ways. Her daughter enjoys being her personal cheerleader whenever she comes along, and she’s incredibly blessed to have a friend who comes along with them to watch her so she can focus on whatever dance activity they are doing. “Life is more fun with friends,” she exclaims!
She shares that since encircling herself in the world of dance, she has created a non-profit called, Wheels & Heels Inc., to help financially support other para-athlete dancers for personal instruction, public showcase or competition opportunities and group lessons. It is still being set up, but will have the capacity to grow and really make dancing in WI more inclusive than its ever been before.
What tip or resource would you like to share with people who want to be more self-determined?
To be more self-determined, Martha suggests people make sure your goals are personalized to your individual needs, and try to make them realistic. “In other words, don't make goals upon other people's expectations unless you feel that the goal truly accommodates your individuality. Being realistic is being honest with yourself. Some things are just facts, others are aspiring challenges- having a lens to perceive the difference can come with trying and time, but never forget that accommodations are always an option.
Martha tells us that resources are found everywhere. “Personally, I've learned a lot from BPDD, WPEN, UCP, DPI, FACETS, and many more. When I had questions, I dove online and made a ton of phone calls, then put in a lot of time to educate myself with the experiences I was navigating and sharing/ listening to those around me,” she says. She stresses that communication is key and you never know where you might find a new connection.
What are some of your hobbies?
Martha’s new hobby has become Wheelchair Ballroom Dancing. She explains that the interpretation and experience an audience member goes through while watching a performance is intriguing. Dancing incorporates musicality, physical movement, and emotion. She never had expected that, but as a lover of the Arts, it's a vulnerable art form that reminds us of the beauty around us.
She also enjoys any adventure she and her embark on, baking, and enjoying the summer months in Wisconsin.
***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.
Meet Emily. When this determined self-advocate isn’t working with the Living Well Grant, she’s probably busy doing one of her several hobbies. As a host of the Self-Determination YouTube Channel, she loves being able to share different things with people to maybe help them be more determined. We’re so fortune to have her as a member of the Network!
What's your story? Tell us a little bit about yourself
Emily is 37 years old and is originally from a small fishing town called McClellanville in South Carolina. It was 45 miles from Charleston. In 2002, her junior year of high school, she moved with her parents to Madison. She attended LaFollette High School. Emily shares that she has a Nonverbal Learning Disability (NLD). “I actually best express myself and understand best verbally,” she says.
Since 2018, Emily has been a Self-Advocate for the Living Well Grant, and she is also a host of the Self-Determination YouTube Channel.
How are you involved with self-determination? Why did you join the SD Network?
Emily joined the Network to share her story and to connect with people. She’s looking forward to having her Member Spotlight posted on Facebook.
Tell us some good news - what's the most exciting thing happening for you (or in Wisconsin) in terms self-determination?
Emily is excited that the Self-Determination YouTube Channel is growing! She explains that more hosts are being added and more videos are being made. “I enjoy being able to share my opinions on different topics and in videos that are shared publicly,” she says.
What tip or resource would you like to share with people who want to be more self-determined?
Emily encourages people to check out the Self-Determination Channel on YouTube and watch some of the videos. “Subscribe to the channel. It’s free,” she exclaims!
What are some of your hobbies?
Emily has lots of hobbies. She likes to do crafty things like sequence kits, puzzles, and coloring pages. She also likes to find new recipes and try them.. And, of course, she loves watching YouTube videos. In addition to watching videos on the Self-Determination Channel, she also likes watching music videos and videos of animals.
***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.
What's your story? Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Katie is 28 and lives in a small town in North Western Wisconsin. “I’m not even sure it’s on a map,” she jokes. She has two cats. She shares with us that she considers herself disabled for six years. She has a generic disorder which her mom and two sisters also have to different degrees.
How are you involved with self-determination? Why did you join the SD Network?
After completing the Partners in Policymaking class through the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities, she attended the Self-Determination Conference where she learned about the Self-Determination YouTube channel. She just officially became a member of the North Country Independent Living board.
Tell us some good news - what's the most exciting thing happening for you (or in Wisconsin) in terms self-determination?
Katie is working on becoming a peer specialist. She is also talking with her legislators and about marriage equality. She shares that she has been engaged for three years, but, due to how it will affect her benefits, they’ve been putting it off. She explains that she fought to get on disability for two years, and doesn’t want to give up medical care. Her finance is very understanding and has been by her side while she continues to fight this battle. They’re going to advocate not only for themselves, but also for others who are in similar situations.
What tip or resource would you like to share with people who want to be more self-determined?
Katie encourages people to get really familiar with the library and the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC). She tells us that both places have tons of fun information to help direct you to what you’re looking for. “Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need. It’s the hardest thing to ask for, but so important,” she says.
What are some of your hobbies?
In her spare time, Katie enjoys doing things such as bullet journaling, crafting, quilting, LARPing (sewing costumes), gardening, and teaching classes in the community.
***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.
Meet Krystal. This writer has overcome a challenging childhood and has learned writing helps her express her feelings. She’s learning that by helping people solve problems she’s making a difference in her own way. She also shares some great organizational tips with us. We’re so fortune to have her as a member of the Network!
What's your story? Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Krystal shares with us that she had a difficult upbringing, but she has cut toxic people out of her life in order to change who she once was and become the best version she could be.
She explains that writing has helped me through all my experiences. She has some brain damage around the areas of my brain for expression, in addition to trauma. When she is unable to express my words verbally, she is able to pick up a pen and write what she means. “When I'm unable to communicate, my anxiety increases, and I develop a panic attack. I've learned early on that if I brought a notebook and pen with me wherever I went, my anxiety decreased. I learned early on how important every word was and became sensitive to the pain others felt,” she says.
How are you involved with self-determination? Why did you join the SD Network?
Krystal tells us that she’s new to the SD network, so she hasn’t been much involved yet. She hopes to become an active member once she learns more about advocacy and how things are run.
She shares with us that her psychologist actually encouraged her to look at ways to share her knowledge and experiences. “I've been helping people on Facebook, Instagram, Quora, and other places with some problems they were forced to endure. How I saw it was making the difference in my own way. My psychologist helped me see this could reach more people and help people connect with resources they need, that my experiences were just as valuable as anyone else's," ’she explains to us.
Tell us some good news - what's the most exciting thing happening for you (or in Wisconsin) in terms of self-determination?
Krystal is excited about a couple of things. She’s glad there has been more awareness for childhood intellectual and developmental disabilities. She didn't even know she had a developmental disability until she began intense therapy when she was 24. “This helped me understand why I felt a disconnection when I spoke versus when I wrote. While I can't have gotten my diagnosis sooner, I hope we all can continue to advocate to improve the future for the younger generations,” she explains.
She also is excited about being able to connect with senators and give input on upcoming bills. She intends on talking to her senator about the upcoming bills about mailing votes and medical assistance programs.
She also wanted to mention that she’s happy that NAMI (an organization that supports mental health)is now in Manitowoc. This will help the community heal.
What tip or resource would you like to share with people who want to be more self-determined?
Krystal shares lots of tips on how to keep organized:
- Make a chores list for every room in the household (weekly). Laminate it and you can reuse it to keep track of what needs to be cleaned each week.
- Get into a routine. Set alarms and stick to them, even though you don't want to. This helps create structure and an understanding of how your body functions.
- Make a checklist of what you need to get done each day. Don't overdo it. Be mindful of how much stress you can handle and make room for in case of emergencies, sick days, etc. She shares that she was taught goals need to be realistic, something you can manage to do, starting right now. Build yourself up slowly from there. If you become too stressed, go back down and build yourself up until you're ready to handle it.
- Color-code information or things associated with each other. This helps reinforce your memory. She finds it easier to remember the color of a folder where I put my bills versus what file number they're in.
- Label everything and make sure it's easy to read. This way you know where something goes and takes stress off your mind.
- Exercise 3-4 times weekly. She highly recommends yoga—it teaches you about learning patience, calming the mind, and how to be present at the moment.
- Eat whole wheat, fresh fruits, and lots of green veggies. Drink plenty of water. Having a healthy body keeps you energized so you can endure more and heal faster.
- Make time for yourself every day. Set up a certain amount of time doing something to learn about yourself.
What are some of your hobbies?
Krystal enjoys learning about any topic and will research topics she’s unfamiliar with. She enjoys reading a good story and doesn’t have a preference in the genre. Her biggest passion is writing.
She also enjoys doing activities such as listening to music (lately getting into operas, orchestras, and piano), learning how to paint and draw from a variety of artists online (they offer free classes at Michaels, which got her started), and volunteering at Painting Pathways a few times a month. She tells us that one of their upcoming projects will be painting inspiring quotes on stones to place around Manitowoc County.
***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.
What's your story? Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Jen is 45 years old and has Mosaic Down Syndrome. She’s a lifetime ambassador for a nonprofit down syndrome organization called Nothing Down which is based in New Jersey. She explains that Nothing Down works to change the how the world views Down Syndrome. She explains that they work tirelessly along with their filmmaker to change the conversation about intellectual disabilities. There’s been a huge transition from the negative stigmas that were so common not too long ago. They have produced 14 viral projects. They have been featured on media outlets such as MSN, The Today Show and many more. At the beginning of 2018 they formed an International Ambassador Program and now has over 60 ambassadors across the globe. The ambassadors have become the face of Nothing Down, representing the organization in eight different countries and in 22 US states. Jen loves being an ambassador because, “Having my voice heard on the issues that are important. Helping people feel more enabled to take control and providing practical support to overcome health and social care issues for our loved one with Down syndrome is what I love to do.”
How are you involved with self-determination? Why did you join the SD Network?
Jen got involved in self-determination to advocate for herself and others to get the support they need to live successful lives.
Tell us some good news - what's the most exciting thing happening for you (or in Wisconsin) in terms self-determination?
Jen is currently taking the Partners in Policymaking class through the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities. She hopes to change the way people view Down Syndrome. She’s not sure what exact policies she’d like to see changed, but things like supporting children in school, stop bullying, and making sure all kids are included and accepted are extremely important to her. “I know as I was included and accepted, but others aren’t,” she tells us.
What tip or resource would you like to share with people who want to be more self-determined?
Jen encourages people to set goals and advocate to achieve those goals that act as barriers. People should also participate in discussions that impact their quality of life and make choices based on personal preferences and interests. “Most importantly, keep high expectations of yourself,” she says.
What are some of your hobbies?
In her spare time, Jen enjoys watching TV (she loves WWE) and movies. She also likes to do things like listening to music, exercising, writing, baking / cooking, being mindful, writing, practicing self-care, and going on adventures.
***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.
What's your story? Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Stefanie grew up in Colorado and Wisconsin with a brother with autism. She shares that growing up with him really shaped her worldview about disability and belonging. She attended UW-Madison studied child development and then got a Masters Degree in Social Work. As a student intern, she heard about the Self-Determination Conference and got to attend for free. As her college career wrapped up, she learned about an incredible opportunity through the Waisman Center, where she could work with families like hers to help create a better future for their loved ones. “That work with families led to the creation of LOV-Dane, which became LOV Inc. (Living Our Visions Inclusively) in 2020. I've been the Executive Director of LOV Inc. for the last four years and feel very lucky to get to do work that I'm so passionate about. I love talking to families from different parts of the state and hearing about their hopes and dreams for their loved ones with disabilities. It is such a privilege to be able to be part of their journey while they make the best possible life for their loved one. At LOV Inc. our focus is on helping people figure out what they want in life and claim the power to make it happen,” she says.
How are you involved with self-determination? Why did you join the SD Network?
While most of her work nowadays is with parents and siblings of people with disabilities, Stefanie explains that LOV Inc. has a major focus on self-determination for individuals with disabilities. Their staff team is part of the Living Well project and they spent the last few months reviewing the Rights Toolkit, which was a great starting point for many discussions. When they work with families or individuals with disabilities, they always make space for listening deeply to what is important to them in their life, and helping to navigate through any barriers they're experiencing. “I love being part of the SD Network to connect with other people doing similar work to us, and learning about new ideas people come up with,” she excitedly exclaims!
Tell us some good news - what's the most exciting thing happening for you (or in Wisconsin) in terms self-determination?
Stefanie explains that in recent years, LOV Inc has focused on diversity and equity, in addition to inclusion. This year, they've been able to expand their work with Spanish speaking families by hiring a Family Resource Specialist who is Latina. Alejandra Espejo has been connecting with families and helping them dream big for their child's future, including their child living a self-determined life. They've done a lot of education on supported decision making and rights, though these terms have different meanings to Spanish-speaking families. “Bringing the idea of self-determination to a new culture is challenging, but definitely worthwhile,” she says.
What tip or resource would you like to share with people who want to be more self-determined?
Stefanie thinks it is easier to be self-determined when you know what you want. She encourages people to set goals for your future, talk with close friends and family about what you want your life to look like, and then ask for the support you need to get there. She says, “If the future feels too far away, think about the life you want to have six months or a year from now, and find a way to take small steps toward that life. Many people are rediscovering who they are after COVID, so you're likely to find a lot of other explorers on your journey.”
What are some of your hobbies?
When she’s not busy working, Stefanie likes to do calm and soothing activities. She attends yoga classes at a studio near her house, work on jigsaw puzzles with family and connect with my friends. She’s looking forward to life after COVID when it will be easier to travel safely. There's a lot of places in the world that she still would like to see. London is probably at the top of her travel list right now, but she would be happy to even be able to visit friends in Washington state next year.
***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.
What's your story? Tell us a little about yourself?
Olivia grew up in a tiny village called Brandon, but now lives in Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin. Currently, she works at Fleet Farm’s Fuel Center. She has a Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Theology. Right now, she’s looking into grad school for family and marital counseling. She’s also the current director of the Wisconsin Youth Leadership Forum that is held every summer at Edgewood College in Madison, where they teach high school students with disabilities about leadership and self-advocacy skills.
How are you involved with self-determination?
Olivia is a great self-advocate. “Although sometimes I do rely on close friends and family for assistance, but hey, everyone needs a little help every now and then,” she tells us. She’s living independently in her own apartment and has a part-time job. She’s also working toward getting her driver's license.
Tell us some good news - what's the most exciting thing happening for you (or in Wisconsin) in terms of self-determination?
Oliva is part of the Wisconsin Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) and she’s really excited that to have started a #WednesdayWisdom and other live chats on Facebook through the Wisconsin YLF page. This gave her the opportunity to talk to previous YLF staff and delegate members about their experience through the program and what they are up to these days. “It's been really hard to see each other and sometimes people just kind of get lost in life with what they are doing and don't really have time to meet up. It was nice to reconnect with them and hear about their memories of the program,” she says. About eight years ago, she informed the previous director that when the time was right that she would like to try being the new director. Olivia spent a lot of time talking with the previous director, and she spent two years being her assistant and learning everything that she could. She finally became director in 2016.
What tip or resource would you like to share with people who want to be more self-determined?
Olivia would like to share two resources: The YLF Facebook page and the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities website. Both provide lots of great information.
She encourages people to never give up. “Everything that you want will come to you if you work hard,” she says.
What are some of your hobbies?
In response to this question, Olivia says, “Oh, boy, this is a tough but fun question to answer.” She loves to read. She explains that it's a great escape from reality and to enter a world that can fill your head with so much imagination. Another good thing about reading is that you can learn about life, learn lessons and even read to learn something new. She enjoys watching TV and movies. A few of her favorites are “Heartland,” “Boy Meets World,” and definitely the Fall Hallmark movies! She also loves to run. She ran cross country and track all through middle, high school, and college—she enjoys the fact that it's your own pace and you can just run for fun! She enjoys connecting with friends--even though the last few years, it's mostly been through different apps or phone calls.
***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.