I’m Dalana Smith, an independent living specialist with LIFTT based out of the Glendive office. I grew up in Missoula and Glendive as a child. I spent most of my teen years in Glendive. I wasn’t always the easiest kid to deal with, which led me to the Job Corps, where I graduated. I moved back to Glendive and enjoyed hiking, camping, and floating in the river. Just enjoying the great outdoors. In 2013, I had my son but struggled with postpartum depression, which led me back into active addiction. I struggled with that for many years before I took the steps to turn my life around.
In 2018, I had a baby girl, and soon after, in 2019, I had another baby girl. In 2020, I married my best friend and the love of my life. In 2022, I welcomed my son back home after eight years. I have been trying to be the best version of myself for my kids. I spend every day trying to be someone better than I was yesterday. A couple of things I love to do are playing with my kids, watching them in sports, listening to music, family trips, and eating amazing food. Working for LIFTT makes me feel like that after all the bad things that I have done. I finally have a chance to give it back by helping people. It gives me meaning, and I love that. I love my LIFTT family; they have welcomed me graciously.
I enjoy working in these small, amazing communities that make up our corner of Montana. If you or someone you know are interested in learning more about LIFTT” ‘s independent living services, please reach out to me at (406) 948-8502 or dalanas@liftt.org.
About Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow (LIFTT): LIFTT is a Montana 501(c)3 corporation organized as a Center for Independent Living (CIL). With team members based in Billings and Glendive, LIFTT provides people with disabilities with programs and services that help empower them to break down the physical, bureaucratic, and cultural barriers that prevent them from being fully independent participants in their lives and communities throughout 18 counties in southeastern and south central Montana: Big Horn, Carbon, Carter, Custer, Dawson, Fallon, Garfield, Golden Valley, McCone, Musselshell, Powder River, Prairie, Richland, Stillwater, Wibaux, and Yellowstone. For more information, please visit liftt.org or download our mobile app for Apple or Google Play.
You can donate to LIFTT by clicking here.