Some disabilities are more visible than others.

Stephanie Nava has cerebral palsy and uses crutches to walk. Rachel Overholt has a learning disability and attention deficit disorder.

It could be that because Nava's disability was obvious it protected her from being bullied or teased in school.

Overholt wasn't so fortunate, though, and at 18 she is still haunted by how students and teachers treated her in elementary school.

The two women are among 20 young people with disabilities in Helena this week learning how to become advocates for themselves at the Montana Youth Leadership Forum.

They serve as delegates from their communities for five days of intensive training, during which they'll cultivate their social skills as citizens and leaders.

Overholt, of Darby, was diagnosed with a learning disability and ADD in the third grade.

"Teachers didn't seem to understand my disability -- maybe they weren't aware," she said. "I struggled in that environment because I was different."

Overholt, a small-framed brunette, is cheerful, and you'd never know from her bright smile and green fingernail polish that she struggles to make friends.

Her peers at school almost made the experience worse, she said, because it seemed the more Overholt tried to fit in and make friends, the more she became an outcast. There was a period in her life as a young girl, she said, when her horses were her closest friends.

Her challenges at school became so intense that her father decided to teach her at home.

Over time, Overholt was ready to give the traditional learning environment another try. Changing schools reduced her anxiety about being different and increased her ability to learn peacefully.

As it is for many, middle school was no picnic for Overholt, who recalls being called "freak" by bullies. High school brought understanding, and finally she began to enjoy school.

"I met people who loved the weird part of me," she said. "Through that I was able to accept all my glitches."

The week at the Montana Youth Leadership Forum brought even more self-acceptance, Overholt said.

"Coming here I've learned to accept my differences -- move on -- and just be who I am," she said.

The ninth annual leadership forum brings young people from Ekalaka to Eureka to the Queen City. They live on campus and have full daily agendas of learning opportunities, group activities, guest speakers, heart-felt testimonials and a thorough dose of the political scene. They also have some fun, too, with movie nights and a dance.

Individuals campaign for three positions on the MYLF leadership team. Those who seek a position are selected by a vote, and the successful candidates spend the next year representing the forum at talks, conferences and seminars around the state.

"We like them to start thinking about civic engagement, running for office and voting," June Hermanson, Montana Youth Leadership Forum program director said. "Often times people with disabilities don't vote, and we are hoping this will give them an interest in that area."

Earlier this week, the delegates spent the day at the Capitol learning how to testify in a legislative hearing.

"The Legislature develops policy that affects the lives of people with disabilities, and they need to know they can and should be in those hearings to stand up for people with disabilities and be part of that policy-making process," Hermanson said.

Nava said she has enjoyed learning about ways to become a leader and advocate for those with disabilities.

Nava, 19, recently graduated from Billings Senior High School. Born with cerebral palsy, she said sometimes it's hard to explain the medical condition, which affects muscle control and movement.

Children, she says, seem to make fewer judgments than adults, although they often want to know if she is contagious.

"Little children accept me for who I am," she said.

Nava is leaving the forum armed with skills to help her live independently.

"I've learned to be a self-advocate and independent so I can live the way I want to live," she said, adding that she hopes to have an apartment of her own some day.

Brandon Tighe wants to go into law enforcement, and he's not about to let his learning disability stop him.

"I can't hold information for a long time, but it's gotten better over the years -- you just learn what works and what doesn't," he said.

He's left the forum excited about the new friends he made and eager to get out into the world and make a difference. Tighe, 18, said he hopes the public won't hold him back.

The general community doesn't believe people with disabilities are capable of doing anything they want, he said.

"They assume things too fast," he said. "If they don't understand they should just ask without making judgments."

Tighe hopes he can play a role in changing how society views those with disabilities, and with or without their support, he plans to do good things for the world.

Click here to visit the Montana Youth Leadership Forum Web site.

Reporter Alana Listoe: 447-4081 or alana.listoe@helenair.com