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“I am my own voice, and I need to make sure that whatever I need to happen actually happens.”

Discover the inspiring stories of individuals with disabilities who have embraced self-advocacy to overcome challenges and achieve their goals. Learn how self-determination, determination, setting goals, and self-discipline have played a crucial role in their success.

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“I am my own voice, and I need to make sure that whatever I need to happen actually happens.”

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  1. “I am my own voice, and I need to make sure that whatever I need to happen actually happens.” -Matthew Shapiro

  2. “I run my IEP. It is a clear, precise way to channel all of my hopes, dreams, and create goals and strategies that reflect my expectations.” -Sarah Craig

  3. “I am determined to succeed in life. I am determined to keep my job instead of quitting because quitting doesn’t get you anywhere.” -Steven Warr

  4. “I am quite vocal as a self-advocate for my needs in the classroom. I take full responsibility for the quality of my education.” -Catherine Elizabeth James

  5. “I had to recognize what things I was good at when I was in elementary school. I know that I have a positive attitude and I’m very friendly, kind, handsome and caring.” -Leroy Bonds

  6. “I have been successful with many of my smaller goals. I wanted a driver’s license. I really had to self-advocate for that one.” -Kathryn Anderson

  7. “At college, there will be a lot of changes in my life and I think about that time as when I will have to deal with my disabilities on my own.” -Juliana Moore

  8. “Looking back, I realized that I put my disability to the side until the point that I couldn’t put it off any more.” -Arteezjah El

  9. “My friends and family support me. I get tutors. I set specific goals. I am disciplined. I do homework each night.” -Caroline Tobe

  10. “There are devious kids; there are also devious adults. Sometimes I wonder why I bother going to school for hearing if they don’t bother listening to me.” -Blair Thomas

  11. “The things I would like to be in life are movie director, writer and rap singer. My hobbies are basketball, boxing and dancing.” -Sharonne Greene

  12. “My mom is the best ever and I don’t know what I would do without her.” -Tyneisha Garner

  13. “When there is a situation that I am challenged with, I first think what my options are and then I think what will happen if I pick each option.” -Doniella Kissinger

  14. “I never give up because I want to grow up and have a job and make enough money to take care of myself.” -Ryan Miller

  15. “I am shy so I work hard to ask questions on my own without my mom. She won’t ask for me most of the time anyway because she says I need to do it on my own.” -Tess Macdonald

  16. “When it became time to enroll at my new high school, my sister and I enrolled ourselves. I was able to tell the guidance counselors what classes I wanted. They didn’t just assign my classes.” -Jasmine Marie Etter

  17. “School has always been difficult for me. My first-grade teacher would yell at me for not paying attention as I had ADD, and I would yell back at her which would lead to several unpleasant visits to the principal’s office .” -Andrew Dame

  18. “My mother told me I’m like a computer with less RAM. I work fine. It just takes me longer.” -Ben Allen

  19. “I may never be perfect, but I know a lot of so-called ‘normal’people who are never going to be perfect either.” -Ben Allen

  20. “I can help others understand the people that need help. Things are working out for me because I know a lot of stuff people taught me. I want to help others make it too.” -Jarin Robertson

  21. “I have met all (my) goals. I have now decided to set new goals. I have graduated from school and I want to help others know they can make it too.” -BK Smalls

  22. “I really changed my mind when I went to the I’m Determined Youth Summit last summer in Washington DC. There were so many students there that really stood up for themselves. I hope I become a leader one day like them.” -Kaitlyn Redding

  23. “No matter how uncomfortable or self-conscious I may feel when people stare at me, I ask myself, “So?” And I have decided to not care when people stare at me, because I believe that it only matters what I think about it.” -Benjamin Gibbs

  24. “I have had to make some hard decisions. For example, I had to switch friends up and find new ones just to get my work done. That’s the hardest thing I think in this world.” -Jonathan Bey

  25. “These privileges are mine and mine alone because my IEP is designed not just to get me through school but to help me with ways of speaking more precisely and what to say or not to say.” -Michael Williams

  26. “Being in the Self-determination Club allows me to open up a little bit and understand my disability. Now I know that I’m not the only person who has to struggle with their disability.” -Keshay Brown

  27. “I demonstrate my self-determination by being on top of things and (am)determined to succeed with a passing grade. Even though I have a disability…I don’t let it stop me frm achieving my goals.” -Brittany Payne

  28. “I learned that standing up for yourself and accepting life’s challenges is something everyone needs to come to terms with whether disabled or not.” -Sonia Murden

  29. “I do not view my disabilities as defining me; I just try to work around them.” -David Aronson

  30. “I honestly think people are afraid to admit they have flaws and accept their own as well as other peoples, but I think if they did, the world would be a better place.” -Katie Coburn

  31. “I am determined to get a job, make money, get good grades in school, help my family and go to college.” -Eddie Lewis

  32. “I may have Asperger’s Syndrome, but I still have a life.” -Eric Hammond

  33. “I’ve always wanted to work with animals, wild animals. I want to become a zoologist and finally pet a cheetah!” -Erica Wilson

  34. “Most people do not see me as the typical teenager. Teenagers are usually consumed with friends, fads and fashion. Ethics, personal goals and community affairs are my passions.” -Catherine James

  35. “I have been through a lot in my sixteen years on this earth, but I really enjoy the type of person I have become.” -Kyle Perdue

  36. “I am the only one who knows what is best for me and how much help I need in class. I am 14 and do not need people telling me that I am not able to do something.” -Anne Downing

  37. “Now I must learn to advocate for myself as I get closer to going out on my own. Like everything else, this will take practice, practice, practice and lots of hard work.” -William O’Connell

  38. “Sometimes, YOU have to make the change. And sometimes, when you are speaking for yourself, you find you are speaking for others as well.” -Jo-Elizabeth Strong

  39. “I really want to be a leader. I want to help other students like me so they do not have to suffer as I did.” -Christian Knight

  40. “I have set a goal to go to John Tyler Community College after graduating from high school. I want to work in law enforcement.” -Zach Sanders

  41. “Self-determination has helped me understand that I have to be prepared for life after school. By understanding my disability, I feel I will be better prepared to get a job or go to college.” -Anthony Bratten

  42. “I want to get married and have a family and get a good job, someday. Right now, I really want to learn to drive.” -Brooke Felts

  43. “It is through my determination, advocating for myself, applying my IEP accommodations, modifications and goal-setting I have worked to do my best.” -Zachary Brown

  44. “Now, I think differently. I realize that people with disabilities shouldn’t have to be afraid of speaking out, or feel uneasy when discussing this because society looks down on them.” -Justin George

  45. “I have a mission in life now which requires setting a good example for others to follow. I feel like I have gone on a journey and become wiser.” -Will Kirchhoff

  46. “I have to prove things to myself and I know I can do it. When I accomplish the goals that I set for myself, I know that I can do anything!” -Yolanda Barlowe

  47. “My mom will always remember what I said. ‘Asperger’s? Asperger’s? You mean they make hamburgers out of people’s butts?’ ” -Tyler Dos Santos

  48. “Sometimes it is hard to make friends and be successful in school. But my motivation of what the future will be like encourages me to keep on trying.” -Joseph Wilkinson

  49. “When people underestimate me, I show them what I am made of. I am not a girl with a hearing disability. I am a girl who is deaf and can do anything she sets her mind to.” -Stephani Davis

  50. “My penmanship is horrible, but enough about the bad things. I have found that technology such as word processing and spell checking are big helps.” -Aaron Bowman

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