My name is Bill Volkmann. I was born with cerebral palsy but I never allowed my disability to define who I was. After the ADA was passed, I was able to become the first one to enter the New Jersey public school system with an intellectual or developmental disability. However, I took what I learned from my special education school and applied it to breaking barriers in public school and beyond. I have been a strong advocate for people with disabilities before I even knew what the term meant. Throughout my journey, I have remained determined and positive even through the most difficult times. In the last five years, I have taken what I learned throughout my life and applied it to moving across the country without knowing anybody. People told me that it couldn’t be done, but I love to prove people wrong. Now, me and familiar allies want to get my story out there to empower the next generation of people with disabilities, and bring awareness to society as a whole.