Advocate: verb: to plead in favour of, support or urge by argument. noun: one who defends, vindicates, or espouses a cause; an upholder; a defender.
Every day parents, grandparents, or family friends suddenly find themselves assuming the role of ‘accidental advocate’. How do they do it?
Dianne Hill is writing a book of inspirational stories: how some have followed the path of effective advocacy for their autistic son or daughter.
Do you have a story to tell about your advocacy journey?
Please add your comments to this blog and share your stories of success.
The advocacy journey is a difficult one, fraught with twists and turns, traumas and setbacks. Agencies offering to help individuals assert their child’s and their own rights are ‘out there somewhere’, but anyone with a child newly diagnosed with a severe disability faces a complex maze of ‘disability services’ along the way to finding the right service for his particular needs.
This path is made even more difficult because the time and energy needed are already being used up coping with the child’s highly disturbing behaviour and pressing daily needs.
