Grass Roots Advocacy

Advocacy: Pleading another's cause (Merriam Webster Dictionary)

These days, lots of folks see Advocacy as supporting a cause en masse. That is, we march for awareness and press for civil and legal support for our cause... Wear a pink ribbon, put a bumper sticker on the car, cast a vote, attend a rally/meeting/protest, write a blog, etc. And, while these are all good and worthy efforts, the truth is, ADVOCACY BEGINS AT HOME!

As the parent of identical twins with Down syndrome, I have come to realize that supporting my children's efforts at home -- that is BELIEVING IN THEM and in all the possibilities for their futures -- gives birth to my ability to advocate on their behalf. It is my belief in their ability -- current and future -- that enables me to ask for additional services for them and for others, to raise more money to fund research looking for a "cure" and/or better treatments, and to speak at local colleges to raise awareness... of the possibilities.

BE A GRASS ROOTS ADVOCATE! BELIEVE IN YOUR CHILD SO THAT HE WILL BELIEVE IN HIMSELF AND OTHERS CAN TRULY BEGIN TO BELIEVE AS WELL.