[Cabs-talk] California Youth Leadership Forum

[Darian Smith]

Hello cabs folk!
I would like to take a moment and share with you all a really great
experience that I was lucky enough to be a part of.
 In late may, I was selected to be a staff member to participate in a
youth leadership forum for people with disabilities (YLF). Having been
alumni of the program I felt that, because I was very lucky to benefit
from meeting some very inspiring and positive role models in the
greater disability community, it only seemed right to “pay it
forward”.
 So in late July (two days after graduating from AmeriCorps, and
returning to San Francisco) I reported to Sacramento State for
training, and one of the more exciting and challenging weeks I’ve had
in a while.  After a cram session of training, that included a very
interesting  game called ”The Maze of Change” (a game we would have
our student delegates play), we chatted, and got to know each other as
staff before the delegates  came.
 Sunday, July 26th was the big day. Staff cheered as delegates, some
surprised by the amount of energy and cheers that greeted them, made
their way off of buses and into the dorms at desmond hall.  After
settling in and meeting fellow delegates, the 60 delegates, separated
into groups by the colors found on their name badges, made their way
to their small groups and met their group mates and staff.  I was very
lucky to be grouped with three staff members who all were very
positive and encouraging role models for the youth in the group. As
for the youth themselves, I have never been around such energetic,
thoughtful and helpful young adults before, especially in a short
four-day conference type setting.
 The group was green 5, or... the Green Mafia.   And their battle cry?
What else? “fuggedaboutit!”

 The delegates in the forum took part in naming their small groups and
proudly claimed their group when asked who they were with. The most
awesome thing of it all was that they all by forum’s end proudly
claimed being YLF alumni. But way more importantly than that, were so
proud to claim their disabilities, or as we say… they were “disabled
and proud!”
 The Youth got to speak with successful disabled professionals, as
well as speak to alumni in specialized breakout sessions that focused
on dating and relationships, High school and beyond, fighting for your
rights, and living on your own.
 They also got to find out about resources and assistive technology as
a part of the weeks events.
  The delegates got to network with not only each other, but other
mentors at a special mentor’s luncheon where the youth were recognized
for being selected to make it up to Sacramento based upon their great
leadership abilities. This was a part of our “capital day” where youth
toured the capital, met with legislators and talked about their
concerns. One of the major concerns was that there is no curriculum in
California schools that talks about disability history,   The
delegates were surprised to find that there has been and continues to
be a disability movement and that there are and have been great
figures in this movement.  As the Capital was a highlight, as has been
the case in years past, there of course needs to be a celebration
after all that capital trekking and mentor elbow-rubbing, right?
Well, what better way to let your hair down, than to get down to the
sounds of some awesome jams!
 There was some Shakira, pitbull, lady gaga, black eyed peas, and, yes
of course Michael Jackson!  We got down to some “ABC”, “P.Y.T”, and
“Thriller”.
  The Final day was full of final thankyous, tears, and good-byes.
But there was anything but sorrow amongst the masses, as they felt a
new sense of empowerment, pride and confidence.
I truly believe that this forum is a great opportunity for high-school
aged students to meet other youth with disabilities, and be exposed to
the greater disability community.  For older students, you may find
it’s a great chance to be a positive role model for disabled youth
with many abilities, and as there is very little representation of the
blind at this forum, I would even challenge you to consider this
opportunity to educate staff who might never have met a blind person
before, or have had very little interaction with the blind.
I will leave you all with a few of our most spirited chants
“We’re here, we’re loud, we’re disabled and proud!
 And
 YLF is what… Dynamite! YLF is what… Dynamite!  YLF is tick tick tick
tick tick tick tick tick boom! Dynomite!
 What a Week! Wish you were there
 Darian!