YLF News
YLF 2007 Highlights
July 20, 2007
Camp focuses on kids and their futures
View video at: http://www.wtsp.com/news/education/article.aspx?storyid=59513
By: Brittany Benner
Tallahassee, Florida -- Summer camps across Florida are in full swing and Florida Youth Leadership Forum is no exception. But instead of just fun and games, this group of high school students is focusing on their future and overcoming challenges.
Meet Brittany Harris. She's your average 17-year-old, soon-to-be Mandarin High School senior, 3-sport athlete, who loves to shop. She also has dyslexia and a learning disability.
"Really, most people don't even know I have a disability. I kind of cover it up pretty well," said Harris.
Harris joined dozens of other high school juniors and seniors at the 8th annual Florida Youth Leadership Forum. It's a camp for students with disabilities.
"Just because we're not like everybody else, doesn't mean we're not normal. That's something that really stood out to me because I have struggled before with being different from everybody else," said Harris.
This camp focuses on leadership, citizenship and social skills. Friday's career fair allowed students to learn about career choices and the importance of keeping a positive attitude.
"I've grown a lot because before I had a real bad attitude about it cause it was frustrating… but now I think I've grown and matured that you just have to live with what you have and work with it," said Harris.
For 15-year-old Sarah Goldman-who has cerebral palsy-she said the Leadership Forum has been an eye-opening experience.
"Some of these kids are totally normal, like I never even expected them to have a disability.I just walk to them on the street and be like, 'Oh, they're not disabled,' but they really are," said Goldman.
"So these are students that may have challenges but we all bring challenges to the work place," said Able Trust Public Relations Vice President Kristen Knapp. Able Trust works with the Florida Governor's Alliance for the Employment of Citizens with Disabilities.
No matter what challenges these students face, Florida's Youth Leadership Forum teaches them to focus on ability rather than disability.
"Know that just because I have a disability that it's not gonna matter cause I'll still work just as hard and do just as good as anybody else in the world," said Harris.
The Leadership Forum ran through Sunday in Tallahassee. Click on the following link if you're interested in learning more about the program: http://www.abletrust.org/ylf/
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