Your Story. Your Voice. Be Heard.
Cynthia Lockrey shares her insights and experience as a patient advocate and her patient advocacy work. Blog posts include topics such as patient storytelling, working with healthcare professionals and advocating for children.
Just the thought of a new school year gives me anxiety. Anxiety about the change in routine for my child. Anxiety about having to explain and fight for their needs to a new teacher. Anxiety about starting yet another round of advocating for my child.
While many parents and caregivers have some level of anxiety about a new school year, this anxiety is heightened when you have a child with disabilities.
Read MoreWhen children are young, as parents and caregivers we tend to be their voice. But as our kids grow and have opinions of their own, we make the shift from being their voice to their megaphone to their cheerleader.
What this shift looks like and when it happens depends on the individual. What is important is we encourage self-advocacy in kids, regardless of their ability. This is not only an important life skill, but also essential to having personal safety and fulfillment.
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I really wish I didn’t have to write this article. I wish that kids with disabilities and complex needs would get the support they require to not just survive but thrive. I wish they had the education, learning supports, therapy and career counselling needed to help them live their best lives.
Sadly, this isn’t the case and is the reason why advocacy is critical to supporting kids with disabilities.
Read MoreFocusing on a child’s behaviour does nothing to help the situation. Rather, it allows biases, judgement and assumptions to take root and cloud what’s really happening.
Being curious about the behaviour versus judging the behaviour is the best way to support any child.
Read MoreDespite all the talk about diversity and inclusion in classrooms, many schools and families still struggle with what this actually means and why it matters. Just having a child with disabilities or complex needs in a classroom isn’t enough. They need to be seen as a valued member of the school community.
Too often the conversation focuses on the challenges versus gifts these students bring to the classroom.
How can any kid be successful with this approach?
Read MoreAs kids head back to school, many parents and caregivers will be rolling up their sleeves and advocating for the supports their child needs and deserves. While some of us are seasoned veterans when it comes to advocacy, I know it doesn’t come easy to everyone.
Advocating for your child, or any child, can be frustrating, lonely and overwhelming. It can also cause friction with family members, educators and even friends.
Here’s the thing – advocacy is not a popularity contest.
Read MoreWhat is authentic leadership?
Simply put – it’s a person who shows up as their authentic self. It goes beyond taking leadership courses, implementing the hot lesson of the year or seeing leadership as a role. When you’re working with an authentic leader, you feel it.
Read MoreAs a mom of a child with autism, and an advocate, the saying “Change Takes Time” is one I hear way too often. Honestly, it’s a cop out for not doing the hard work needed today instead of sloughing it off for tomorrow.
Read MoreSHOP
Training videos, e-books and books to provide advice, tools and insight into the world of patient engagement as an advocate and volunteer.
Speak your truth. Share your story.
