Ok, so I did want to acknowledge the grief part of being forced into heavy advocacy with law and policy. For those needing that acknowledgement you can read my previous blog Knowing our Rights. The path usually starts off that way, but it doesn’t need to stay that way.
For this blog, we are jumping from grief to acceptance to celebration.
There are many people who have been positively impacted personally from being originally forced into advocacy. They then find out there is something about this that drives them, fills them, and they enjoy helping other people.
I am one of those lucky people.
Some people have become teachers, EAs, OTs, social justice advocates, non-profit professionals, become school Trustees, entered politics, etc, etc, and have gone back to school to start a new career because of their experience.
I consider myself to be one of those positively impacted people, as I have found a career I absolutely love. Out of something that started out very horrible. Like throwing up horrible, never sleeping again in my life, horrible.
I am a health care and human rights legal advocate for people who are extremely vulnerable in society. My clients are among the most marginalized, traumatized, and oppressed people in society. I navigate all of the external complaint systems and work on policy systemic work with teams of dedicated advocates and lawyers. I LOVE IT.
I never ever would have gone back to school and ended up in the profession I am in now if it wasn’t for the shit I had to wade through due to advocating for my kids in the education system. It unlocked something already deep inside me that never had a chance to come out. I love law and policy. I find it fascinating. The social justice and direct client support I do, I absolutely love.
My silver lining.
Some people find out that they actually do love all of this law and policy stuff. That’s right up their alley. That they are actually really good at advocating. Some people have started their own businesses in education advocacy or volunteer to help out others. Some people are really moving and shaking up the system.
Sometimes, we have new, wonderful people enter our lives because of our advocacy. Sometimes, we get to contribute to our communities in ways we never imagined. Sometimes, not all parts are bad. OR at least stay bad.
Knowing our rights is empowering.
Helping other people is a precious part of life. Something to be celebrated.
And thanks everyone for reading my blog series about the Duty to Accommodate. The number of people reading the blogs this summer was intense. Hope some of you enjoyed it!
Knowing our rights!! Woohoo!!