My name is Nancy Ferreyra and I am 26-years-old (the doctors told my mom I probably would not live more than three years). I am proud to say I live an independent life and I have been working for one year.

I work at Progress Center - a center for independent living in the suburbs of Chicago - advocating for fair housing for Latinos with disabilities in the community.

Progress Center for Independent Living (PCIL) has helped me learn about other disabilities and has allowed me the opportunity to help other Latinos with disabilities who don't know these services exist. Thank you for the opportunity PCIL!

My disability is called Ichthyosis. It is a skin disorder commonly known as fish scales (I'm a mermaid!). It is a genetic disorder, not contagious or hereditary.

I am a very friendly person. I like to dance and I take advantage of going to parties with my friends on the weekends. I am a member of a Mexican folkloric dance group and I don't consider myself a timid person.

I don't want to say my life has been easy because it hasn't. When I started to look for work it was very difficult unfortunately because many employers won't hire someone who has a visible disability or if you don't have a pretty face.

I applied in several places and the response I usually got was, "We'll be in touch with you."

One day my luck changed and I began to work at McDonald's as a dishwasher and later at a school as a teacher's assistant.

I think that there is a long way to go. Unfortunately people with disabilities have to demonstrate to employers they can do the work and educate them about disability issues. Employers must learn that we deserve the same employment opportunities as the rest of the community.

I would like to offer advice for all those who feel that life is not worth living because you have a disability or because you are having problems finding work. Your disability might impede you from doing all the things you want to do, but you should continue because there are other ways to achieve your goals.

In most places services exist that can help you achieve everything you want to. What you need is to know where to go and ask about the services you qualify for.