Once again, I come to blog nation to help me celebrate March. This month is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.
I am so happy there’s a month to share with the world to show the strides in which we make as a community. The month of March not only gives persons with disabilities to share their stories, but also to teach the community.
For me and my peer’s, advocacy is not for just 31 days, instead, it’s a 365-day thing!
My advocacy journey started at a young age. I’ve always been sassy even as a youngster and by me being the youngest of six, I figured-out early if I didn’t speak-up, I was either going to get over-looked or march to the beat of someone else’s drum. Because of that young determination to be seen and heard, I’m able to carry on today. The earlier you start one on their advocacy journey, the better.
I credit my family for they challenged me to speak-up. It is the reason why I’m good at it today. I wouldn’t be the advocate I am now without their love and support.
As I grew, so did my passion for advocacy. Before I knew it, I was speaking up for not just my rights but for the rights of others with disabilities. Although I was speaking-up, I knew I needed to be where the decisions were being made in-order to enhance and improve lives. In other words, I needed a seat at the table.
My Opportunities for Ohioans With Disabilities rehabilitation counselor knew how I felt, and suggested I join a group called Consumer Advisory Council (CAC). I loved it! On this council was where consumers were given the opportunity to offer input on issues affecting people with disabilities. It let our group have a voice and share our thoughts with the persons making decisions. In return, the powers that be, would implement some of our suggestions. This was great, but after my term was over, I wanted more.
There’s a saying, watch what you ask for, because after CAC, I no longer had to find advocacy groups to join, they found me.
I’ve been on many boards, councils, organizations and commissions, including The Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council, Ohio’s Governor Council, SABE Voter’s Project, Ohio Task Force, APSI’s Community Leadership Council, Disability Foundation Board, Gorman Hewitt-Ayers Board, and the ADVOCATES; just to name a few.
One of my greatest accomplishments is being elected to the Board of National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities and serving as vice chair.
My advocacy journey will continue as long as I have breath in my body. For people like me, who live with disabilities, are the best to carry out the advocacy mission. As far as my peers and I are concerned, nothing about us should happen, without us.
Hope you will partake in celebrating Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month learning and sharing all that you can. As for me, I’ll be celebrating this for life. I’m proud to be a part of this amazing community.
Shari, you are a great testament to the power of advocacy. You demonstrate what it looks like when real people take on real issues. Your lived experience cannot be denied by anyone who might attempt to write policy or set standards. Your experiences are critical to the definition. I applaud you for making the choice to be visible and vocal. This is so necessary, because it not only brings forth change, but it also drives people toward change. Many people seem uncomfortable when they see an individual with a disability. But seeing you drives people to change their thinking and acknowledge your power. That power trumps the disability ANY day. Love this one!! –Tracy
Tracy,
Thanks for the beautiful words and for your sisterhood. I’ve learned so much from you in a short amount of time and, looking forward to learning a lot more in the future.
Love Ya
Shari