“You should stand up for yourself!” Yes, yes absolutely, but it isn’t that easy. Earlier this winter I was in a conversation with a room full of social workers. We were talking about what our clients need from us in order to be self-advocates. That moved into a conversation about what any of us need in order to be a self-advocate. We brainstormed an initial list and agreed that more could be said on the topic. Self-advocacy and being resilient are a virtuous cycle. You need resilience to be an advocate, and your advocacy builds your capacity for resilience. And it can be exhausting. 

Self-advocacy is the process of working with others to get your needs met. Life is easy when systems work for you. At a deli I like, you take a number, wait to be called, tell them what you want, and keep an eye on your order. You give feedback as the person prepares your food. That’s not self-advocacy, that’s placing an order. What happens when the system doesn’t work for you?  When that same deli has aisles too narrow for you to navigate, doesn’t serve food you can eat, or has no way to communicate in your language. Part of being resilient is advocating for yourself in times and places that don’t meet your needs. This is not always easy.  

Every social justice movement started with someone advocating for their own needs, connecting with others on the same path then building from there. At this point in US history, we continue to need strong advocacy skills to address many systemic issues. I tend to focus on the personal level – what helps you do what you need to do. Hence this conversation about self-advocacy. My goal is to develop and gather information about self-advocacy that will support your goals of thriving.  

During my conversation with those social workers, we jotted down ideas about self-advocacy on a whiteboard.  My plan is to explore these ideas in this blog series, with your input. Here is the initial list in all its messiness:  

• Accurate Information: rules and regs, know your rights, informed consent 
• Skills: planning, media literacy, how to find info, critical thinking, assertiveness 
• Communication Channels/Options: translators, art, sign language, zoom 
• Safety: physical and psychological, “You got this”, self-worth, believe in yourself 
• Objective/Goal: clarify what you want, know your why 
• Resources: Maslow’s basics, privilege, power, community support, $, space to meet 

What started as a conversation among social workers in Ohio about our clients has blossomed into this blog series about what any one of us needs to be effective self-advocates. When systems stop working for you, your ability to be resilient is a critical asset when speaking up for yourself. As you stand up for yourself it is likely you will meet others on a similar path which may lead to systemic change. I have a rough draft to start the conversation with, I look forward to refining it together.  

Join me in this conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook or by email.

• What do you need – from within and from others in order to be a strong self-advocate? 
• What resources are you aware of that answer this question?
• Who do you know that talks about this or who lives this?

Please share this email or post in your networks. I will keep writing about this over the next few weeks incorporating others’ ideas as I go (and sharing credit as I go). In the end, I hope that you come away with new ideas that help you advocate for the life you want for yourself, your family and your community. 

Peace,

Laura