The 2025 Speaking Advocates Showcase performances were a powerful display of everything this program stands for, “combining the art of storytelling with public speaking skills, to challenge misconceptions about what it means to live with a disability, and demonstrate that we are all more alike than different.”

This year’s advocates offered a broad range of stories, each having a unique perspective on life. From vast cosmic landscapes of the imagination, to a deep intimate portrait of a loved one. From graduate school enlightenment, to the neverending quest for peace, the stories that were felt and shared on stage that day brought our participants closer together, and as a result brought the audience closer together.

Thank you to all of our 2025 advocates for their willingness to share and determination to craft wonderful pieces of art.

Participants:

Mark Sones “A Dinner in Germany”

Kristen Gooch “Becoming a Proud Aunt”

Julio Solis Milam “Darkness and Lightness”

Quin Heston “Comfort in Imagination”

Jaiden Padilla “Some Things That I’m Nostalgic For That Shape Who I Am”

Ethan Shade-Shell “Driving”

Huma Ahmad “Where is my Peace”

Ethan Huffor “A Better Future”

Dylan French “Thoughts on Drumming”

Beans Yimpa “There's a million things I haven’t done, but just you wait.”