You have to read about this AWESOME YOUNG PERSON that our youth advisor interviewed

TERESA NGYUEN

WHO IS SHE?
There are some people that just radiate strength and uniqueness. Some people that are natural born leaders and inspirational friends. Teresa Nguyen fits this textbook description to a tee.
Born with a disease called osteogeniesis imperfecta (also known as “brittle bone disease”) this young lady with the radiant and contagious smile was raised in Denver for the past 26 years. While she has had many of her own battles to face she seemingly always does it effortlessly and with immense strength in her heart.

WHAT DOES SHE DO?
Teresa graduated from CU Boulder in 2011 with a degree in Integrative Physiology. Currently she is attending Graduate School through the Anschutz Medical Campus School of Public Health. One day she hopes to run her own non-profit bridging the gap in the health care field and continuing to enrich others’ lives while doing so.

WHY DOES SHE CARE?
Teresa got involved with Colorado 9to25 (CO9to25) thanks to Dr. Laura Pickler and several other colleagues while she was working for the Colorado Department of Public Health. She thought it would be a great opportunity for herself and felt she would have a lot to contribute to the work being done.

WHY IS SHE COOL?
Her passion in life right now is ‘’creating opportunities for people in my community, especially the broad community of people with disabilities. It is complex for people with disabilities to live and be on their own. Luckily, I have had a lot of mentors in my life but not everyone is that lucky!”

WHAT SHE THINKS YOU SHOULD DO…
When asked what she’d like to share with young people who are thinking about getting involved with CO9to25, Teresa responded, “I’d tell them it’s worth their time and is a great opportunity for youth to have a voice. Anything can happen and nothing is impossible in life. There are so many routes to get where you want to be and if one way doesn’t work, something else always will.”

AND SHE’S OUT!
When closing out the interview I asked Teresa what footprint she wanted to leave here on earth and she stated “she would like to be an agent of change in the health care system for people with disabilities, and hopes to be an asset to young people who want to pursue their highest goals and passions.”

Interview by Madi Thompson