Hi, my name is Sierra Lode. I have cerebral palsy, and I cannot speak. You can bet though, that I can be heard. For the past 14 years I have been a self-advocate. It was in the year 2000  that I attended the very first Montana Youth Leadership Forum, the summer between my Junior and Senior year of high school. I was shy back then and not very sociable. Who would have guessed that in five days attendance at the forum would significantly influence my life. I emerged a changed young woman. Talk about a super positive experience! I learned confidence in myself, and gained skills to advocate for myself.  There are two different areas of self-advocacy that I would like to talk about. Choosing to go to college is one, and depression, is the other.

I have always wanted to advocate for other people who have disabilities, especially youth. As I got older, I realized I was becoming passionate about working in the disability community. I have had lots of time two think about, and to pray about my lifetime goals. After researching careers in this area, I knew that I must seek a college degree. After all, data entry was very boring, and I wasn't helping anyone in ways that I thought I could contribute to the best of my abilities. I know I can motivate others to fulfill their potential by my example, by what I have to say, and through my spirited inspiration. How many conference speakers have you heard who cannot speak? The field is wide open for me! I love addressing an audience such as yourselves, to spread the word that there is hope for youth with disabilities to live a full and richly rewarding life, and they can make choices for themselves, not let their schools, parents, or some agency that thinks they know what is best for you. 

I was a member of the National Advanced Youth Leadership Institute headquartered in Washington, D. C. in 2005. I saw what my peers were doing to make a positive difference in the disability community. They were all in college, or in grad school. After thinking about what these youth were doing pro-actively in the national arena to champion human rights for people with disabilities, I decided it was now or never. I too, must take that critical step to better my education. My best friend, who was of great encouragement to me, and I, went on-line, and she helped me fill out an application to attend the University of Montana in Missoula. When my parents got home from work, I said, “Guess what? In a couple of months I will be moving away to go to college.” I was very proud to know that I was on my way to determining my own life goals. Talk about being scared!

For more information contact Sierra at sierrasmil@bresnan.net