Roads To Success

    Welcome to the Living With Disabilities Advocacy website. First and foremost. Self-published author Katrina Smith, a person of many accomplishments, has written six volumes in total: two cookbooks and four collections of poetry. Her favorite activities include reading and writing. Katrina would be described by one word: determined. Despite any challenges she may encounter, she does not let unkind comments decide her fate.

 If you're a new visitor to this advocacy website, this page aims to increase public understanding of those with disabilities and other conditions.

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  This week, Living With Disabilities will bring you some exciting news that has happened to the host. We'll call this "roads to success," And We're totally excited to share this one with you. 

  In June, she received an email from a magazine about Art, Entrepreneur, and  Creativity, CanvaRebel. When she first read her email, she was in disbelief; this can't be real. She began researching, and that was when she was spotted with the truth. She immediately took up the offer and did the interview. So, on July 6, 2023, the magazine reached back out, to let her know that her story has been published. 

What did the article contain? Her journey in life Knowing who she is, what's her mission in life? Her mission is to spread the message about people with disabilities, which she speaks of in the article. And also creating jewelry. You heard it first: she is a handcrafted jewelry entrepreneur. And you wonder why sometimes there are no new articles or podcast episodes. She has been busy keeping busy.  But, that shouldn't stop you from reading articles or listening to episodes, these articles and episodes are not going anywhere. Matter of fact to stay in the loop, connect with Living With Disabilities on Facebook, if you haven't already. And on the Living With Disabilities Instagram page.

She said "She is one woman trying to make things work, and that includes starting up a foundation for adults with disabilities who want to continue their education. And this is why it's so important to her to create a merchandise store etc. To gather up the funds. So, she can make this a reality. All it has been was talk. But, there needs to be some action behind it. This is where it is very important because she talks through her struggles in college, and she does not want to see or hear adults with disabilities struggling like she did. 
 Before we even share this part of her story, we want everyone to understand there is a difference between dropping out of school and taking a much-needed break from semesters. Katrina took much-needed breaks from semesters and here is why?

From the very beginning of starting her journey, she was dealing with some difficulties with the professor, as the semester went on she dealt with more difficulties and this wasn't the professor this time around, Department for Disabled Students. Taking both situations to her counselor, which she did. 

She decided after the incident with the DSPS office that it was time to transfer to a different community college in the same district. The incident sent her anxiety through the roof, and she became sick. And from there, she didn't want to return to that same campus. Although she did try to give it one more try, it just didn't feel right. After a summer break, it was off to a different college, and this time anxiety sparked a few more times. She sat out after having her anxiety flare. Fast forward to 2018, and she decides to go in and give it another go, which she did. As the class was in session, Anxiety tried to peak again. By then, it was coming down to the wire. And during the whole time, she didn't get to use her accommodations as assistance. The professor wanted to see how well she could do without it. But if at any point she felt the need to use it, her accommodations were there. Yet she did pass the class. Despite not being able to use her accommodations. 

 What about going back now? That has been the plan, and she did say she would go back to school. She put it differently, and she means it differently, Trading school. To cut out all the hassle of relearning everything she had learned when she was in high school all over again, she can just go get hands-on training and learn that way to become a guidance counselor for children with disabilities, and she can even help adults along the way.   

 Fast forward just a tad bit, and before we even share this part here, we want you all to know that everything is possible. If you have the mind to dream it, you can go out there and make those dreams a reality. As you well know, you can also teach others through your own experiences, and with that, you don't have to have a license to do it.

  On June 28, 2023, A group called The Spina Bifida Resources Network held an Empowerment conversation event for adults 18 and over. And She was the speaker for the night. She taught everyone how to create their own bracelets. The event was pretty awesome. The event was an hour long. and afterward, or the day after, a survey is emailed out to everyone. This isn't the first time She has spoken at The spinal Bifida Resources Network events.  And she feels this won't be her last either. She did her first speaking engagement some time in 2020, for the cookbooks that she had published.

 What is The Spina Bifida Resources Network? It's a nonprofit organization that provides services and programs to children, adults, and families living with Spina Bifida and other disabilities in New Jersey and other locations.

Their mission is to empower people with disabilities. Including people with SB (Spina Bifida). How do they empower others? Virtual events are held. They have a virtual support group and events, financial assistance, health conversations, education, and recreation. 

 Lastly, She has been asked to partake in announcing the top five songs for Ashville FM 10.33, North Carolina Radio Station. and she took on the opportunity of doing that. She has been doing Collaborating gigs as well. Make sure to check out DIYabled which is a nonprofit organization that teaches people about disabilities and accessibility. 
 

What does your road toward success look like? Have you made any accomplishments, and what are some tips to help others?

Living With Disabilities Presents: The Advocacy Table

a space created for people with disabilities to be able to have freedom of speech and talk on different topics surrounding the disability community. To get more details, check out The Advocacy Table. To become a panelist, Write into the show and let the host know what topic you want to talk about. She will then send out a group email to all panelists after the show has reached five or ten people. After the show, a survey will be emailed to you, and we would love to get your feedback.

If you need online support, Disability Safe Haven is great for receiving support. The We Care Team is very protective of its members and asks everyone who joins, to have a profile picture and answer the security questions.

Podcast Link
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/livingwithdisabilites/episodes/Road-To-Success-e26nfl3

  Link to the host radio show apperences
The Stomping on Cerebral Palsy Radio Show with DJ Ty