Lodi resident Jeremy Hixson attends the Youth Leadership Forum at California State University, Sacramento. (Brian Feulner/News-Sentinel)

Tokay High School student Jeremy Hixson attending a leadership conference in Sacramento

Jeremy Hixson is disabled. He uses a wheelchair and is proud of it.

Hixson, who has osteogenesis imperfecta, a disease that makes his bones brittle, joined 55 other students with disabilities in attendance at the week-long Youth Leadership Forum at California State University, Sacramento.

For one week, the students stay in the dorms and participate in leadership workshops and team-building activities.

While at the forum, students learn to use their differences to benefit their communities and they get a chance to interact with their peers.

"(This conference) helps them understand that by having a disability, they can really empower themselves," said Patti Roberts, communications officer for the California Employment Development Department, which was a key sponsor of the event. Hixson, 17, is a junior at Tokay High School and said his experience not only helps him lead, but also helps him feel like part of a community.

"I thought it would be a good idea to apply because I don't know that many people with disabilities," he said.

Hixson said living in Lodi has limited his interaction with other disabled people, so he enjoyed connecting with people at the conference.

"The small groups are the best part," Hixson said. "We talk about how we feel about disabilities, not everyone here has a physical disability, there are some with mental (and) cognitive (as well)."

Hixson admitted he doesn't like one part of the conference.

"The wake up call is at 6 a.m. They try to wake us up, but we're usually already awake," Hixson said, explaining that he doesn't like having staff remind him to wake up.

Tuesday morning, they toured exhibits and presentations on the latest technology and options for people with disabilities.

"They realize how many opportunities are out there for them, education wise and career-wise," Roberts said.

When he returns to school, Hixson hopes to use his newfound skills to promote his club at Tokay High School.

From left: Jeremy Hixson, Eve Billings and Alva Gardner talk to outreach specialist Love Miller about free telephones that are provided to the disabled through the California Telephone Access Program, on Tuesday during a Youth Leadership Forum at California State University, Sacramento. (Brian Feulner/News-Sentinel)

Hixson is the co-founder of the Tokay High Political Alliance. He and a friend created the club so high school students would have a forum to discuss politics.

"It gives students an outlet to show their political views to the rest of the student body," Hixson said.

Today, students will be at the Capitol telling legislators and other officials about problems they see surrounding people with disabilities.

Hixson knows he's different from most people, but he sees it as a strength.

"You don't have to stay in the lines. I take that as a life lesson," he said. "I'm really the kind of guy that goes for the weird stuff."

Contact Natalie Flynn at natalief@lodinews.com.