STEPHANIE POLITO

“They look at what’s inside your heart and how good a person you are.  They don’t put you down – they help you to achieve.”


Stephanie Polito

Stephanie

In her work with the Easterseals Youth Leadership Network, Stephanie Polito helps teens and young adults with disabilities learn to advocate for themselves, gain self-confidence and strengthen their self-image.

“Sometimes people may see us as being lazy but we are far from it,” she tells them. “It takes true grit to have a disability and function.” 

She lives that message.  “I have grit,” she says, “and I never quit.”

Stephanie has an intellectual disability and low muscle tone.  But this vibrant, outgoing, caring 20-year-old woman with the bright smile also is a college student, loves to sing and dance, is active in a theater group and is a polished public speaker.

Stephanie and her family live in Worcester.  During the school year she’s a student at the Riverview School in Sandwich and attends Cape Cod Community College through its Project Forward program.  She’s a Project Forward peer leader and wants to be a social worker one day.

Her association with Easterseals began in 2012, when Stephanie was chosen as a delegate to the organization’s Youth Leadership Forum.  Today she’s a facilitator for the Easter Seals Youth Leadership Network, reaching out to youth with disabilities in the Worcester area. She’s also active in Easter Seals Walk With Me fundraisers.

Because of her hard work and ability to inspire others, Easterseals recently honored Stephanie with its Emerging Leader Award.

 “I like that Easterseals inspires people with disabilities,” she said.  “They look at what’s inside your heart and how good a person you are.  They don’t put you down – they help you to achieve.”

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