My name is Alma Almanza and I am 43 years old. I am the oldest of 7 children of farm labor workers. I was born in Mexico and came to live in the United States when I was 16 years old. I worked alongside my parents in the fields during summers and some weekends, while in high school, in order to help them financially. I was fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to attend college and in 1983 I obtained a BA in Psychology from the University of the Pacific.

Adjusting to a New Disability

In 1989, at the age of 30, I became disabled as a person with quadriplegia. My mind was still able to function; however, my body would not follow those instructions so that I could continue living the independent life I was accustomed to. It was a difficult realization but I was not ready to give up on life.

I returned to the Central Coast of California to live with my parents for three years and during this time I reflected about what I could do with my life that would be productive and fulfilling. I knew there was something that I could still do with my life and it was then that I learned about Centers for Independent Living. Through the center in my community I learned that there is life after disability. I also learned that with my "new body" I needed to make some modifications and adaptations to my life in order to work and continue having a good quality of life.

Regaining Independence

I have been working for the Central Coast Center for Independent Living, CCCIL, for 8 years and have come to embrace the IL philosophy of independence and choice. After becoming disabled I have realized that the key to achieving my goals has been my perseverance and having the ability to be consistent in achieving whatever goal I set for myself. I believe that life is all about choice and making those decisions that will benefit me as an individual. I can make a bad choice or a good choice. Either way I will have to live with the consequences of my choices, but it will ultimately be my choice.

My work as an advocate has given me a lot of satisfaction as I assist our consumers in becoming more independent. They soon realize that their life has meaning and purpose with or without a disability. They can participate in their community by getting involved with those issues that affect their lives. We, too, have a voice and the right to express our opinions. I am proud to be a part of the disability community and have learned to acknowledge that the world is full of people with different abilities. We can participate in our society as much as able-bodied individuals can. Inclusion is a wonderful thing.

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