This week, I’m so excited to share my conversation with Sara Minkara, Founder and CEO of Empowerment Through Integration. ETI is a non-profit committed to developing a more inclusive society by empowering youth with disabilities through direct service programming and by transforming social and cultural stigma against disabilities. 

From the time she lost her vision at age 7, Sara experienced two very different worlds. During the school year, she felt empowered by her family and teachers, and lived a full and rich life. When she traveled to visit extended family during the summer, however, she was exposed to a world where her blindness was considered to be a burden or a source of shame.

These experiences played a huge role in Sara’s journey and the work that she does with ETI. We talked about her story, what self care looks like for her, and how she stays grounded and humble while pursuing her big dreams of disrupting the narrative surrounding disability.

“I didn’t reach what I’ve reached so far because I’m smarter or have a bigger skill set. No. Every single person has something beautiful to contribute. Everyone has a power within them. They just need someone to help them recognize and see that power within.”

Sara, thank you so much for everything you shared on the show today. And thank you also to everyone out there listening, subscribing, and sharing the show with your friends! If you’d like to learn more about the work Sara does through ETI, you can visit their website or check out Sara on Twitter @MInkaraSara. I’ll see you next week with a brand new episode.