4
ANNUAL UPDATE 2021
ANNA RHODES
Internship with Purpose Getting connected to 99 Balloons my freshman year of college helped me narrow my focus on my
career
people
and
with
heart
for
disabilities.
the
community
Through
99
of
Balloons
and specifically my time as a fellow and an intern, I have been able to sit and listen to people with disabilities, their parents, and their siblings
on
advocate
how
for
to
their
best
be
families.
a The
friend
and
friendships
made through 99 Balloons have spurred me on to
advocating
injustices
that
for take
big
and
place
intimidating
including
sex
trafficking.
Trafficking is a heavy and cruel thing on its own, but it became shockingly more personal for me when I saw the true target it poses on my friends with disabilities.
I
am
currently
biking
1700
miles
down
the
Pacific coast with a non-profit called Pedal the Pacific to fundraise for the fight against sex trafficking.
I
want
to
be
able
to
make
sure
people with disabilities have the tools needed to live life to the fullest. And if that means fighting against trafficking, I will do just that.
