In the Disability Community, we speak a lot about advocacy and its many different forms. In the last couple of months, I have been reflecting on what advocacy means to me. The value of talking about advocacy in the Disability Community is that everyone feels empowered and supported. I think the most important takeaway is it does not matter the role you play within the Disability Community; we are all advocates! It does not matter what you do if you are speaking up for yourself and the things you need or fighting for an issue that impacts your whole community, you are an advocate.
Being an advocate also means you often are also practicing self-determination. Self-determination is the belief that a particular person has the right to be in control of their own lives and make their own decisions. This should be the same for all of us, people with disabilities and nondisabled people. Whether you work at Kroger or on Capitol Hill, you have the right to speak up for yourself and receive the things you want and need to live your best life.
We have many decisions to make, like if we want to be involved in romantic relationships, if we want to pursue higher education and go to college, if we want to travel and explore new places and if we want to live independently instead of living with family. We all deserve the right to make these decisions. Having a disability does not matter, people with disabilities can live full and meaningful lives. We might just have to accommodate things a little differently to achieve what we want, and that's OK. It is always good to have family, friends, and other trusted people around you. But at the end of the day, it is your life, and you need to have the final decision. Always remember you are your greatest advocate! And YOU have the power to speak up for the things that you want in your life.