Were you always an advocate?”
This was a question asked of me the other day.
I’ve always had a heart for the underdog. Maybe having T1D, I saw a little bit of myself in them. Ever since I was little, I found myself lucky enough to have a voice loud enough to get up on the podium when needed.
I’ve learned so much as I’ve stepped into places I didn’t know existed. The more time I’ve spent in those places and the more aware I am of the injustices people like my daughter experience–and the more determined I am to advocate, shout her worth, and break the mold for people like her.
Advocacy is not easy and few tend to seek it out.
It’s emotionally, physically, and spiritually exhausting. Most people like to stay in their safe comfortable bubbles and avoid conflict. I never went looking for advocacy–rather it came along and popped the shit out of my bubble. Advocacy pounded on my door and frankly has never left since. We’re good friends now.
It’s when we don’t “have” to be advocates that we get to decide to BE one. The ability to choose to be an advocate though–that’s privilege. A privilege I had….prior to the birth of our warrior. Before Callie, if I saw a particular injustice, I could choose to sit quietly on the bench and not get in the game.
Now there’s no question–if a person, organization, industry, or system makes my daughter feel less than able, less worthy, or challenges her way of life……I’m on the field.
Hands up.
Game face on.
Voice loud and clear.
Ready to go.
Shouting her worth to the top of the stadium.
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