So I’ve thought about what advocacy really means. Not by the definition, but the general feeling. Without boring our readers to tears, I’ll close with a quote by one of my favorite figures in time, Dr. Martin Luther
King Jr.. He was in all sense of the word one of the greatest advocates of our time. He advocated for equality, acceptance and understanding long before I was born. His advocacy eventually caused him his life when he was killed in Memphis, Tennessee in April of 1968. He once said:
“A true alliance is based upon some self-interest of each component group and a common interest into which they merge (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.)”
As a community, the autism community, we need those who are willing to speak up on behalf of those who often do not have a voice. We need to advocate in schools, in our government buildings, in church and anywhere we travel. We owe it to our loved ones on the spectrum to ensure their lives are as fulfilling to them as ours has. We must speak as a united front as Dr. King noted, not only to our self-interests. Be the voice that your loved ones need and create #awareness1by1!