Danie’l Mize’s Self-Advocacy Story

Hello, my name is Daniel Mize, and I would like to tell you a little bit about myself.  I have a disability. I have cerebral palsy.  I was born in Bloomington Hospital on January 13th, 1977.  My parents were told that I would be in a wheelchair at 16 and dead at 18, but Riley saved my life and gave my parents hope. 

I graduated from East High School with a diploma.  I did not take the special class. My mom would not have had it any other way.  After I graduated, I got my first job at Arby’s. Learned real fast that fast food work is not for me.  In 1999, my mom found out she had an inherited lung disease called Alpha One Antitrypsin.  That just meant she was supposed to die in 6 months.  In 2000, my mom noticed all I was doing was working in daycare and taking care of her. I had no friends. She did not like that, and that made her sad.

So she signed me up for Special Olympics.  My first sport was softball. That was how I met Brad, who is now my best friend.  I do have to say I was a little mad at my mom because she signed me up behind my back. But if she hadn’t, I would not have had my second family. 

In 2002, my mom did die, and it was very hard for me. But as my grandpa always told me, when God closes a door, he opens another one.  In came 2 coaches who changed my world, Ellen Norfrey and Ella Boyd. They saw so much in me that I did not see in myself.  They gave me hope that my future would be bright and I could change how people see people with a disability. 

So I joined my local self-advocate group. From there I was on the Mayor’s Accessibility Council in Columbus. Then, I joined the Arc of Bartholomew County board of directors. Then I was on the Arc of Indiana Board of Directors. I did lend for IU. Next, I did the fellowship for the Arc of Indiana.

This year, I was a senior mentor for the new class,  and I am also on the Self-Advocates of Indiana board.  I  just want people to know that people with a disability are here and we are here to stay.