Advocate: a person who pleads for or in behalf of
another; intercessor.
Through the years I have found
myself in the position of fighting for my children. With schools. With their health care. And
with others who don’t understand or value them.
My children have been diagnosed (and in some cases misdiagnosed) with
ADHD, Ulcerative Colitis, Tourette syndrome, giftedness, learning disabilities,
Bipolar Disorder, Hepatitis B, FASD, congenital heart disease and more. I have found
that I had to step in (and up) in order to get the best care, soundest
understanding and appropriate services.
Unfortunately, we have come in contact with many agencies and
individuals that are more concerned with expediting, ease or expense than they
are with our children’s needs.
Our children are vulnerable. Through the ages children have been given
voice and championed by many. As Dr. Seuss
says, “A person’s a person, no matter how small.” Frederick Douglass is famous
for saying, “It is easier to build strong children then to heal broken
men.” Even scripture implores us to
“speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.” (The Message, Proverbs
31:8)
But one needn’t be a celebrity, an
expert, an author, a politician or a miracle worker to give children a voice. In
many cases we are in a position to help… help them get the education they need,
a family who loves them, the healthcare that is crucial and the services that
allow them to reach their maximum potential as children of God. But in order to be effective as their
advocate, we must be informed, equipped and resourceful.
Almost every day I come in contact
with a parent, an extended family member, a teacher, a friend who is struggling
with how to advocate for a child they love.
The Internet is full of an overload of information. There are numerous books on just about every
subject imaginable. The world is full of
experts it seems.
I have found the most trustworthy,
valuable resources are those that come from people who have been in the
trenches. That is how Be A Child’s
Advocate was sparked in my heart and mind.
To offer a place where resources can be shared that will benefit the
children for whom we are called to advocate.
Whether that be our child (by birth, adoption or foster care), a
student, an orphan or a client.
I hope you will join me in this
journey. I am excited to see how
ordinary people, like you and me, can be the catalyst a child needs to be who
they are meant to be.
Questions for thought (feel free to
share!):
- Is there a child on your heart for whom you feel called to advocate?
- What is your greatest obstacle to stepping up and stepping out to be their champion?
