How I Became a Self-Advocate
by Eric Frank, Iowa

It is important to me to give back to the disability circle, because I want the next generation to understand cerebral palsy, the disability I have, and focus on it.

During high school, I was able to participate in the wheelchair division at the state track meet in Des Moines in 1998, 1999, and 2000. I was also selected go to the Youth Leadership Forum at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, as one of 30 people with disabilities who attended. I graduated in 2005, and was asked to be Grand Marshall of the Homecoming Parade.

About a year and a half ago, Ask Resource Center in Johnson, Iowa, asked me to speak to parents of children with disabilities in Des Moines. I was excited to share about my life and share a brochure I wrote about my grade school and high school years.

If you would like to contact me to talk about my life and becoming a good advocate, my email is [email protected].

I look forward to talking to you 🙂

Eric Frank