“This Is My Normal”

She was born with cerebral palsy and myopia (visual impairment) and was expected to do her chores, go to school, get a college degree, get a job, get married, and have a family.  Shyla Patera, 40, the oldest of six children, has accomplished almost all those expectations and is now ready to consider having a family.

“I don’t know any other way of life.  Because I was born with a disability, this is my normal.  This is my life and I love it.  Growing up my siblings just knew I was in this chair, I was their sister and we just all grew-up together.”  Shyla is bright, energetic, and passionate about her life and work.  The fact that she has a disability is just “so what.”

Shyla was born and attended grade school in Great Falls.  Because of the lack of accessibility, Shyla attended all three high schools in Great Falls, graduating in 1987 from the Montana School for the Deaf and Bind.  She then attended Montana State University (MSU) in pursuit of her childhood dream of being involved with political advocacy.  In 1993, she graduated with a degree in political science.  She reflects on her days in college and says that the campus was not always accessible but for the most part she was able to work it out.

After graduating from MSU, Shyla moved to Philadelphia, where she lived for 10 years and worked for Liberty Resources, Inc., Independent Living Center.

Shyla was captivated by the independent living movement and found her calling in life.

She totally embraced the Independent Living philosophy which emphasizes consumer control, the idea that people with disabilities are the best experts on their own needs, have crucial and valuable perspective to contribute, and are deserving of equal opportunity to decide how to live, work, and take part in their communities, particularly in reference to services that powerfully affect their day-to-day lives and access to independence.

Today, Shyla works as an Independent Living Specialist for the North Cental Independent Living Center where she manages peer groups, monitors legislation, and supports and provides advocacy for others living with disabilities.  She beams when she talks politics and the change she is bringing about through her work.

In December 2005, Shyla participated in DAAM, Disability Action Alliance of Montana, a coalition of disability and advocacy organizations bringing about change in Montana.  It was at a DAAM meeting where she meet Mark, her life partner.  Mark always says “ if it wasn’t for that DAAM meeting, we would have never meet.”

When asked about how she sees her life evolving and what her future plans are, Shyla beams “I see my life’s work as an advocate for the disability community.  My work is not done until we, people with disabilities, are fully participatory in all aspects of community life.  The biggest barrier to participation is the lack of accessible, reliable, and available transportation.  My work is not done until the barrier is eliminated.”

“Having a disability does not mean that the world has to end, it just means that some things have to change and you do it differently.  Living with a disability just is.  I can do anything I want.  I have skied, surfed, and gone horseback riding.  Mark and I are like anyone else, we need some supports in our lives but we do our own laundry, grocery shopping, and pay our bills.”

When asked about whether children are in her future: “I would really love to have children; we are talking about it.”

Below are some pictures taken from the interview with Shyla. Her co-worker, George, is also pictured.