ADVOCACY AS A TORCH

“It is a strange trade that of advocacy. Your intellect, your highest heavenly gift is hung up in the shop window like a loaded pistol for sale.”
Thomas Carlyle

Advocacy is not a sport or a hobby, it is a component of character. It is the inability of a man or woman to sit still while another’s life is affected by prejudice, injustice or lawlessness.  The symptom that identifies  a society bereft of values and citizens with a dispassionate disregard for the rights of others is the absence of advocacy.

Advocacy is not a heroic martyrdom. It assures the integrity and safety of each person’s world. To speak in the defense of another or pave the way for their actualization as a valued community member is an honor and ultimately a little selfish. To promote fairness, safety, consideration and respect for others is the most certain way to strengthen ourselves and our societies.

Advocacy is defined as the act or process of defending or maintaining a cause or proposal. An organization may have advocacy as its mission (or part of its mission) to increase public awareness of a particular issue or set of issues.  Advocacy as it addresses the furtherance or creation of rights and freedoms for an individual person represents significant support for the individual and his or her life needs.

Mainstream Association for Proactive Community Living  demonstrates its commitment to advocacy through its client centred planning and the creation of opportunities for self advocates to learn, be involved in the planning and governance of the Association. Advocacy is a habit that can be developed through regularly exercising our conscience, our hearts and our humanity. Be an advocate.