Hey everyone, I'm Katy Imbrone

I'm a 17-year-old senior at Avalon High School in St Paul, Minnesota. I am diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Depression and I suspect that I have ADD (though I haven't been diagnosed, nor truly have the urge to do so). I joined the Youth Advisory Board in February of 2005, as per suggestion of Dan, who I attend school with. I was recently elected secretary of the Board.

I'm what one would call a "computer nerd" - I am often glued to the computer. I also love to read and write, and my career goal is to someday be a veterinarian, or maybe a veterinary technician of some kind (I haven't decided).

I joined the board because I have an intense interest in "disabled" civil rights, particularly the Autistic Advocacy movement. I am completing an intensive study of the Autistic spectrum, advocacy, and education. I feel that I have sufficient experience to add to this group, and I jump at the opportunity to further this great movement.

I was often teased in school, which only added to my social anxiety issues. I also have difficulty concentrating, and it definitely had an impact on my schoolwork. Thankfully, though, I transferred to an independent learning school, and the opportunity to create my own curriculum has helped me to finally realize my potentials. I feel it's very important to eradicate close-mindedness through advocacy, and thus acceptance of all peoples. The current laws and mindsets in our society, while an improvement from the past, have a long way to go, and I'm excited to be a part of helping them along.

Hopefully I will be able to not only learn a great deal from the board, but also contribute a lot to it."