My goals have been deeply shaped – and challenged - by my life experiences as a disabled woman. My research, advocacy, and worldview are deeply rooted in a disability justice framework. I have always been a collector of stories. First through the books that I consumed and now through listening to the people who entrust me with their stories. I frequently hear that I “just have one of those faces” as people tell me the stories of their lives. In elementary school, I stumbled upon a psychology class on the local community college’s distance learning tv channel. I drove my brother batty watching and taking notes each session. Since then, my love of understanding people and my ability and willingness to really listen to people tell their stories, have prompted me to pursue becoming a clinical psychologist. My experience as a disabled woman has led me to specialize in the disabled community. After a car crash, I was thrust into a body that no longer felt like mine and into a system of oppression that I embarrassingly had no idea still existed and had no idea how to navigate. I thought that as my body healed and I found ways to work within my new physical limitations that the barriers in my way would be lifted. But I learned that it is not as simple as that. I want to make sure that those in my care do not have to make this journey alone like I did. I do not need for or believe the world will remember me but I want to make a difference in people’s worlds. When we make a difference in one person’s internal world, they are better able to make a difference in the world around them. My education will equip me with the knowledge and skills I need to help people change their internal world. My compassion will be remembered as a bright spot in dark days and situations. The work we do in the therapy room will expand into their wider world. But as a therapist for the disabled community, I do not want to just advocate for my clients and my community within the therapy room. I want to be a community advocate. I want to work for change at both the micro and macro level. After so many years learning to advocate for myself, I have spent the last two years learning how to advocate fiercely for my fellow disabled students at my university, the Library of Congress, and my state senate. These are skills that I see myself using for the broader community more and more in the future as my skills continue to grow. Disability intersects with all other causes and when I advocate for one, I am advocating for the others as well. After my car crash, I had to take a 13-year medical leave from school and work. I am not sure that earning my doctorate will give me the pride that returning to school to complete my undergraduate education has. I have had to use all my courage and perseverance to get here. But I am here. And I am building a life that I am excited for – both now and in the future – surrounded by and serving the disabled community.