AZYLI Spotlight: Interview with Mica Stewart, Arizona Youth Leadership Forum (AZYLF) Class of 2014

What did you have to do to establish your independence?

Let’s see. So, I’m lucky in the respect that my parents tried to prepare me as much as possible for being an independent adult. But some of the biggest things I had to do came when I started college and really moved out of my parents’ house for the first time. For me, the hardest ones were the little things like managing my own doctor’s appointments. When I started college, I had just gotten my first car. I was still on my parents car insurance, but anytime I needed to take it in for maintenance or repairs, I was the one who had to schedule that and talk with the mechanic. So really that management of different aspects of my life, especially talking to people because there’s a level of anxiety that comes with that.

How did your disability impact your growth?

I like to think that my disability didn’t impact me, or doesn’t impact me very much anymore. But just recently I was speaking to the disability resource center at ASU, and I realized that a lot of the little things that I still struggle with are super common for someone with Asperger’s and ADHD. They call it executive dysfunction, or the difficulty of planning and managing all the different life activities that go on, so that’s definitely related to my disability. ADHD comes in anytime I need to focus for school or work. Also, when I was younger, I had a lot of trouble making friends and connecting with people. I always felt very other. I really treasure the friends that I do have now.

Are you employed? If so, what is your job?

I work part-time for Diverse Ability Incorporated right now. My title is Organizational Systems Specialist. I get to wear a lot of different hats, so I’ve done everything from giving advice, consulting on the technology that we use, to technical prep for workshops. That’s about half of my work. The other half is actually teaching those workshops. So I do a little bit of teaching and a little bit of technical consulting. I even design curriculum for workshops.

How have you grown as a person since AZYLF?

When I first attended AZYLF in 2014, I was 15 years old, and I’m 22 now. So there’s been a lot of personal growth in between then and now. A lot of it had to do with growing up and becoming an adult. I will say that I think AZYLF has been really instrumental in shaping me as an adult. It’s made me more considerate and compassionate, more knowledgeable. I definitely feel that it made me a more well rounded individual. I’ve certainly become more comfortable speaking in front of people and acting as a mentor.

What made you want to enroll at AZYLF?

In 2014, I found out about AZYLF through my old middle school teacher, and she reached out to my family. They said that I should look into applying. Being 15, I looked at it and thought “That’s a whole week of my summer.” I got there and left feeling so invigorated with this renewed energy, and it’s stuck with me ever since.

What goals are you currently working toward?

The number one thing on my plate right now is graduation. I’m in my fourth year at ASU, so I’ve got a year left. After that, the next big thing will be getting a job and starting my career. The other big goals in my life right now are exploring career fields because the major I’m studying can take you in a lot of different directions. Building my life with my partner is probably the other big goal that I have right now. There are also smaller things like finding a part-time job to get me through college and visit my family.

What do you do to help your community?

I think that being immersed in this community has given me an intrinsic desire to help people and give them the opportunities that I’ve had and allow them to grow. AZYLF has given me the mindset and knowledge to make that happen.

What are some resources that people who have disabilities should be aware of?

I learned about the Centers for Independent Living, which are essentially hubs of resources and connections. I think that for most people, that’s the best place to start. Disability Benefits 101 and their website were fantastic resources that I would recommend to anyone. There’s the Arizona Center for Disability Law for anyone who needs support with defending their rights.  

What are your strongest attributes?

I’m fairly intelligent, I’m patient, and I don’t know if this is my strongest attribute, but I’m getting better at relating to other people and building social skills. I’m also really good at looking at a problem, picking it apart and identifying the most important aspect of it.

How do you motivate yourself?

I’m still figuring that out. Motivation is probably the thing that I struggle with most, to be honest. But if I ever figure that out, I’ll be sure to let you know.

Interviewed conducted by Jordan Brown, Public Relations Intern, for Diverse Ability Incorporated.