Advocacy
Advocacy has noble purposes and provides rewards that can sometimes seem short or insufficient in the face of challenging circumstances. Hopefully following note from Kerry Magro who is autistic and advocate and some quotes from others will inspire you to become an advocate for people with disabilities.
In the year 2015, Kerry Magro, in his blog, said:
“This year will be my eighth year as a disability advocate. During that time I’ve received accreditation as a national speaker, worked on several autism-related films and written two best-selling books. I was diagnosed with autism when I was 4. Looking back, I could tell you I never saw advocating as something I’d be doing today as an adult.
On this road, I’ve seen so many beautiful quotes from members of our community. On my tougher days, these words have inspired me; they’ve reminded me that what we’re doing as advocates is making a difference.
Last night I took out a piece of paper and wrote out a few of my favorites that I wanted to share.
1. Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You! — Dr. Seuss
2. Autism can’t define me. I define autism. — Kerry Magro (me!)
3. If you’re always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be. — Maya Angelou
4. Normal is just a dryer setting. — Patsy Clairmont
5. The only disability in life is a bad attitude. — Scott Hamilton
6. I’m great at several things and broken in none. — Kerry Magro
7. My ability is stronger than my disability. — Luke Watson
8. When you have a disability, knowing that you are not defined by it is the sweetest feeling. — Anne Wafula Strike
9. Autism is not a disease, rather a disability that every day I strive to become an A-bility. — Kerry Magro
10. I am different, not less. — Temple Grandin
11. If someone calls you ‘awkward,’ just know that it means you’re unique”and a lot better than ordinary. — Kerry Magro
12. Disability is a matter of perception. If you can do just one thing well, you’re needed by someone. — Martina Navratilova
13. If you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism. — Stephen Shore
14. Attacking people with disabilities is the lowest display of power I can think of. — Morgan Freeman”
Here are some quotes from others that are related to advocacy:
1) Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.
– The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
You must be part of the few who do care. You must care about social injustices committed every day, across the globe—behind closed doors and out in the open. You are one of them who care enough to believe they can make the world a better place.
2) It is not enough to be compassionate. You must act.
– Dalai Lama
Action begins with a desire. Naturally, heartfelt compassion leads to action. The vulnerable and disadvantaged in this world need more than pity—they need to see love operate selflessly and sacrificially.
3) I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.
– Edward Everett Hale
It’s a case of “glass half full” vs. “glass half empty.” Studying and observing the problem rather than working toward a solution is a fruitless endeavor. You can conduct research, create strategies to solve social issues, and play your role as part of the solution.
4) Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.
– Helen Keller
We are created equal but we have our differences. Together, the differences form a harmony singing a well-orchestrated melody. The beauty is in the harmony.
5) The happiest people I know are those who lose themselves in the service of others.
– Gordon B. Hinckley
It’s much easier to forget your personal woes when you’re serving the needs of those around you. For advocate, the needs can be overwhelming. But regardless of the results, the advocacy rewards are intangible.
6) As we lose ourselves in the service of others, we discover our own lives and our own happiness.
– Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Every now and then, we meet younger versions of ourselves. We see the mistakes they are making today and wish we could set them straight. For advocates, their lives are intertwined with those they are serving. They discover more and more about themselves every day as they learn to help those around them.
7) It is not your job to save everyone. Some people are not even ready to be helped. Focus on being of service to those who are, and be wise and humble enough to know when the best service you can offer is to guide them toward help in another direction.
– Anna Taylor
The temptation to transform into a superhero advocate is inviting, yet unrealistic. Piles of paperwork list names, dates, and difficult situations, but not all can be attended to in one day. Sometimes it’s best to just ask for help.
8) How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.
– Anne Frank
The clock is ticking, and not one minute can be relived. An advocate is pulled in a million directions. And each minute is lived to the fullest.
9) I always wondered why somebody doesn’t do something about that. Then I realized I was somebody.
– Lily Tomlin
That somebody can be an advocate, a compassionate soul, or an aspiring world changer. Advocates realize now is the time to act.
10) Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love.
– Mother Teresa
There was and will be only one Mother Teresa. But can’t all advocates choose to love just as greatly?
11) There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest.
– Elie Wiesel
Advocates dare to speak what has not yet been said. They dare to challenge the powerful and intimidating. They might sometimes fail to protect the innocent and vulnerable, but they refuse to stay silent.
12) You must never be fearful about what you are doing when it is right.
– Rosa Parks
“Firsts” are always frightening. First steps, first failure, first success. But for advocates, fear is a sign that they are making progress on the road less traveled.
13) Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.
– Proverbs 31:8
More often than not, victims of trauma lack the words to express their grief and fear. Advocates recognize the need and are the first to respond. They are the ones who will speak hope into the hearts of the hurting.
14) We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked, and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved, and uncared for is the greatest poverty. We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty.
– Mother Teresa
The world can seem like a big, scary place for children, troubled teens, abused women, and homeless individuals. A safer, more protective home begins with one person, in one home.
15) Be the change you wish to see in the world.
– Mahatma Gandhi
It’s easy to point out the flaws and imperfections present all around us. It’s much more difficult to look inward and decide to change ourselves. The first step is always your own.
Through advocacy, we can make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities. Please click the link below and add your voice and contribute to public policy.
Click the link below to access resources about the public policy issues facing our nation today.