Hi Everyone,
Today I want to talk about Advocacy and being an Advocate. Webster defines Advocacy as “the
act or process of pleading
in favor of or supporting a cause or proposal”
and it defines an Advocate as “one
that supports or promotes the interests of another.”
In all that I
do publicly, to promote Autism awareness, Special Needs awareness, legislative
changes, sensitivity from the able-bodied community, sensitivity from the differently-abled
community, and educational inclusion; Advocacy does not have to look the way it
looks when I do it.
You can
advocate from home, from work, on the phone, through the mail, through the
internet or in person. In my mind,
advocacy means that you are standing up for what is right based on what YOU
believe. My passion is Autism and Special
Needs, but that may not be what you are passionate and advocating for. It doesn’t really matter because Advocacy is
Advocacy; you are standing up for what you believe. Don’t compare what you do as “not enough” or “too
much” for your cause, based on what you see someone else doing or not doing. Advocacy comes from your heart and does not
have to be vocal, public, or known by others if you don’t want it too.
I got an email
from a friend the other day that made my heart smile. It read, “I
don't know if you hear this enough but congrats on all the wonderful things you
are doing to support Autism. We are all advocates for all children of
Autism and not just our own child but all children, but we can't all get out
there to the public and do it as you can. So from all of us Mom's that
are doing it from our hearts and home, we thank you for speaking out for our
children. I don't believe our children have special needs, they are just
SPECIAL in our hearts.”
It made me think about all those parents of children with special needs
who are out there advocating for their children in their homes daily by working
with them repeatedly on tasks that may seem simple to others but are hard for
our children. By keeping in touch with
teachers constantly on their child’s progress, and what to work on next. By calling and emailing legislators to make
their concerns, known about pending laws that may affect their children. By explaining their child’s different-ability
to neighbors, friends, and family member so that they are educated on the
condition; and in turn create more advocates through them. By spending thousands of dollars to get their child
the services they need (some paid by insurance, some not). By educating themselves so, they can better
teach their child. By doing all kinds of
things, in all kind of different ways, to advocate for their child and their cause.
So to all you parents, family members, friends, teachers, therapist and
legislators who are advocating for what you believe in; I thank you for making
your opinion known, in whatever way you are doing it. Your voice is heard through your
actions. Therefore, I say to you all of
those advocating for children with Autism and Special Needs, the same thing my girlfriend
said to me “I don't know if you hear this enough but congrats on all the
wonderful things you are doing to support Autism/Special Needs.” So Glad
God Chose Me to appreciate your advocacy and you being an advocate.
Laugh Loud Story--> JP and Michelle went to JPs Special
Olympics-Young Athletes class this weekend.
He was a little over stimulated at first because there were a lot of
children there, (much more than usual); after a while (walking around with
hands over his ears and standing in a corner) he soon warmed up and was
comfortable with his surroundings. I
asked him and Michelle if they wanted to play with a Hula Hoop. They both said “Yes,” and immediately
Michelle took it and started to Hula.
She was doing a great job and Hula-ing for a long time. JP was desperately trying to imitate her, but
was quickly getting frustrated. I saw how
annoyed he was getting and told him to “keep trying.” He kept trying and all of a sudden I heard
him yelling, “Mommy-Mommy, I got it….I got it.
I can Hula Hoop------ I found my wiggle”!! Hahahaha, he sure did, he was very excited
and got better and better as the class went on.
Needless to say, virtual Hula Hooping on Wii-Fit will no longer keep him
content. Off to Toys R’ Us we go, its Hula time lol!!!!
Take Care!!! Laugh Loud, Think Positive and
Dream Bigg!!
Pam MINES
Twitter ->
@Pam_Mines
Facebook -> God
Chose Me
Website -> www.GodChoseMe.com
