Making Choices & Taking Action: Self Determination Part 2 - Value Yourself

As someone who helps people plan their futures, I spend my days supporting young adults as they discover their power to make choices and take chances. It's one of the most inspiring parts of my work because I get to see people recognize their value and stand up for their rights. That's what self-determination is all about - knowing your worth, understanding your rights, and having the courage to try new things, even when others might doubt you.

In my last blog, we explored knowing ourselves through Larissa's story. We will continue exploring her self-determination lessons on our journey through the five pillars of self-determination: know yourself, value yourself, plan, act, and learn. These pillars work together like pieces of a puzzle to help you navigate life and make decisions that work for you. I've seen how understanding your rights and valuing yourself brings these pieces together, turning "I can't" into "I have the right to try."

As I explained in the introductory post, I've noticed is that these pillars don't just happen one after another since:

• Learning happens throughout the process

• Standing up for yourself gets stronger with practice

• Understanding your rights leads to taking action

• Each step forward builds your confidence

Ready to explore your rights and self worth? As you read through these sections and questions, take time to write down your thoughts, draw pictures, or talk with someone you trust about what makes you feel strong and valued. Think about times you wanted to try something new, even though it seemed scary or others said you couldn't.

Value Yourself

When Larissa shared her dream of getting certified to work in childcare, it meant taking a big step - trying college classes. Some people worried college would be too challenging, but Larissa knew something important - she mattered, and she had the right to try. I watched her confidently tell her YES team, "I know I'll need support in my classes, but I also know I can learn what I need to work with kids." Whether she was figuring out the college system or requesting accommodations in class, Larissa wasn't afraid to speak up and ask for what she needed. Through her advocacy journey, she learned that valuing yourself means trusting your voice, knowing your rights, and believing in your dreams - even when others might doubt you.

Your journey of valuing yourself might look different from Larissa's, and that's exactly as it should be! Everyone has their own way of speaking up and standing strong. Some things might feel harder for you, and that's okay. What matters is knowing that you have rights, your voice is important, and you deserve to be heard.

Let's explore what it means to trust yourself and value who you are. As we go through these next sections, remember what Larissa learned - confidence grows every time you use your voice, ask for what you need, or try something new.

Trust Yourself

When Larissa started college classes, she showed her team what trusting yourself really looks like. It's that feeling in your gut when you know what you want, even if it seems scary. It's speaking up in class when you have a question, even if your voice shakes a little. It's knowing that asking for help makes you strong, not weak. 

Through supporting many people on their transition journeys, I've learned that trusting yourself is like building a muscle - it gets stronger every time you practice listening to your inner voice and standing up for what you need. Sometimes it means taking small steps, other times it means taking big leaps, but it always starts with believing in yourself.

Here's what trusting yourself means:

• You have value and your opinions count

• You have rights and your voice is important

• You get to make choices and your ideas matter

• You deserve support

Here are some questions to explore the trust you have in your self: 

• What's something you want to try, even though it feels a little scary? 

• What support would help you take that first step?

• Think about a time when you spoke up for yourself. What did that feel like?

• What would help you feel confident doing it again?

Your Identity Matters

Throughout my work supporting people in their self-determination journeys, I've seen how understanding and celebrating who you are builds the confidence to pursue your dreams. When Larissa talked about being part of a mixed culture family, being a sister, knowing ASL, loving music and dance, and wanting to work with kids, she wasn't just listing facts - she was claiming all the parts that make her who she is. Each piece of our identity adds to our strength and shapes how we see the world. Sometimes people might try to put you in a box or make you feel like parts of who you are don't fit together. But embracing your whole self is what helps you stand strong in who you are and what you want for your life.

Here's what makes your identity matter:

• Celebrating who you are

• Understanding your cultural strengths

• Recognizing your unique perspectives

• Appreciating your whole self

Here are some reflective questions that explore identity and self-worth:

• What traditions or parts of your culture bring you joy? 

• How do they help shape who you are?

• What unique strengths do you bring to your community? 

• How has your journey helped you see things in a special way?

Understanding Your Rights

Understanding your rights isn't just about education - it's about having the power to build the life you want. When Larissa learned about her rights in college, it opened her eyes to rights she had in other parts of her life too. She realized she had the right to dream big about her career in childcare, to live where she wanted, to manage her own money, and to make choices about her relationships. The more she understood her rights, the more confident she became in trusting herself and embracing all parts of who she is.

Here are important rights to know:

Basic Rights Everyone Has:

• The right to be treated with respect

• The right to make your own choices

• The right to privacy and confidentiality

• The right to participate in your community

• The right to have relationships and friendships

• The right to earn money and make decisions about spending it

Disability Rights in Education and Employment:

• The right to reasonable accommodations

• The right to access support services

• The right to equal opportunities

• The right to participate in all activities

• The right to job training and employment support

• The right to fair pay for your work

Accessibility Rights in Daily Life:

• The right to accessible materials and information

• The right to accessible spaces and facilities

• The right to communication support

• The right to assistive technology when needed

• The right to transportation options

• The right to live in the community of your choice

These rights work together with trusting yourself and celebrating your identity. When Larissa understood she had the right to try college classes, it strengthened her belief in herself. When she knew she had the right to ask for support, it helped her feel proud of who she is and how she does things. Rights aren't just rules - they're tools that help us create the life we want, in ways that work for us.

If your rights aren't being honored, you don't have to face it alone - you can speak up to your YES team, connect with disability rights organizations in your community, or work with an advocate who can help you understand your options and take action to protect your rights

Building Confidence

Building confidence happens one brave step at a time. I saw this in action watching Larissa navigate her college journey. When classes felt challenging, she found her voice by telling her professors what she needed to learn in her own unique way. She worked with her YES team in creative ways - like asking her job coach to help her organize her class notes and set up study routines that worked for her. At her volunteer jobs in childcare centers, she wasn't afraid to ask questions about the best ways to work with different age groups or how to handle challenging situations with kids. Each time Larissa spoke up, asked for help, or tried something new, her confidence grew stronger.

Here's what building confidence looks like:

• Finding your voice

• Standing up for yourself

• Working with your support system

• Learning from others' experiences

As you continue your journey 

Through Larissa's story, we've seen how valuing yourself grows stronger when you trust your voice, celebrate who you are, understand your rights, and build your confidence. Her journey shows us that self-determination isn't just about knowing what you want - it's about believing you deserve to go after your dreams, even when they feel challenging.

As you continue on your own journey, remember:

• Your voice matters, even if it shakes sometimes

• Your way of doing things is valuable

• Your rights are tools to help you create the life you want

• Your confidence grows every time you speak up or try something new

Take some time to think about what you learned about yourself while reading this blog. What parts of valuing yourself feel strong? What parts might need more practice? Remember, just like Larissa, you can start with small steps and build from there.

Join me in the next post as we explore the third pillar of self-determination - planning. We'll continue following Larissa's story and discover how turning your dreams into goals can help make them real.

To learn more about disability rights in your area, explore the links below:

Resource Link: 

Washington: https://disabilityrightswa.org/

Oregon: https://www.droregon.org/

Hawaii: https://hawaiidisabilityrights.org/