advocate4u

How do you identify an advocate?  Does obtaining a degree in a certain field qualify the title?  Is ”hands on” training and/or experience in their field required?  Are advocates all the same?    You may be shocked at the answers!

I know I am the best advocate for my children.  I also can be the worst advocate for them if I do not control my personal feelings during these trying times to advocate.  An example is an IEP (Individual Education Plan) meeting.  I once believed administrators and teachers within our public school district had the training and insight that I underestimated myself in having.  Through my own experience, I have discovered not only is our staff uneducated in my child’s special need diagnosis, our school library does not have current data on the subject either!

A parent knows their own child (or they should), better than anyone with any type of degree.  I do not have a P.H.D. but I am a M.O.M.-Mom On Mission!  This is a phrase I will be reciting to myself  at my child’s annual IEP meeting in the near future.

When my child was diagnosed, I had no idea what an IEP even was, let alone, what type of “strategic methods” would help in the classroom.   Little did I know then, the terminology is like a new language.  I did have suggestions and solutions to “strategic methods” that I already implemented in our daily routines.  It’s called parenting to me though!

You can identify an advocate in many ways.  The advocate I want in my child’s corner is in our corner, not just at the ring.  I will describe some traits I have found some of the best advocates to exhibit.  They have helped me be the M.O.M. I want to be!

The individuals I want in our corner will not have fake agenda.  The therapist that understands the key to a recovery or treatment plan is stability is a true advocate.  How does the medical world expect individuals to trust and open up their vulnerable side if they are not going to be consistent with their patient?  Most of the individuals have been ridiculed by peers, adults, and society.  Even a dog that has been beaten will reluctantly come to the abuser, with his tail between his legs!  Everyone must do what is best for their own personal growth, caring enough about others well-being is the new horizon I want to follow!  Thank you for sticking with us in your career adjustment!

Another way to tell an advocate is in their realm is by their heart.  They are not obligated but offered to participate at the meeting.  They are not watching the clock, they are in it for the child, not the hour or paycheck!  Thank you to a special administrator that has assisted in balancing the cheering field!

Finally, an advocate can be a group.  The organization that not only will go to the table with you, but will help keep you organized, state your view when your words contain too much vulgarity-because your buttons are being pushed, and they will EDUCATE the EDUCATORS!  Thank you Boss(e)!

Trackback URI | Comments RSS