Natalie Green

IDRPP

Partners in Research Advisory Board Member

Natalie Green

I was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy and Epilepsy due to an in-utero left hemiplegic stroke when I was eight months old. I have had daily seizures that were only partially controlled with diet and medication. In July 2011 I had a Pediatric Peri-Insular Hemispherotomy at Primary Children’s Medical Center in Salt Lake City, and successfully completed a one-year monitoring period to gain a seizure-free diagnosis. I still have a left hemiparesis and IDD, and take medication to control seizure-related migraines. I am active and love running and cycling with Peloton, and playing soccer as a member of the Utah Royals FC Unified soccer team.

My whole life has been about advocacy. I see myself as an inclusion leader and an advocate for others who don't always have a voice to speak up for themselves. I have always said that inclusion only works when we all belong. I podcast about inclusion topics on the DadnNat Podcast, and use my love of art to promote inclusion, to speak against bullying, and to celebrate and defend disability pride on social media. I'm currently working on publishing my first book called "Stand: An Inclusion Story" for younger audiences that talks about how to respond to bullying.

I am a Special Olympics athlete who competes in soccer, bowling, dancesport, and cycling, and recently won bronze in Bardonecchia, Italy at the 2025 World Winter Games for DanceSport. I'm a US Youth Ambassador and Global Ambassador for Special Olympics. I'm a graduate of the Utah Developmental Disabilities Council ALPS program, and I am also part of the UDDC Advocates as Leaders Speakers’ Network.

I work as a barista at Lucky Ones coffee in the Marmalade library in Salt Lake City, come and say hello!