Cindy Thielen

Discipline: Self-Advocate Trainee

About:

I graduated with a B.A. in Journalism with a Studio Art Minor from the University of Maine. Much of my interest involved photography and occasionally writing for the Penobscot Bay Press as a student intern. I’ve experienced what disability advocacy is like because my mother has spent several years speaking up for what I need, whether it was at IEP meetings at school or local workshops and community groups.

I’m an autistic self-advocate and I received special education support since elementary school and was formally diagnosed with Aspergers at the age of 13. I can be shy and my voice has always been somewhat high pitched but it’s gotten better. I’ve always wondered how I can help other disabled people in the community, so I hope this training can lead me to doing just that.

Return to the 2019 – 2020 UMaine LEND Trainees.