tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511331289532772394.post7231866080527728575..comments2023-05-05T07:27:47.617-07:00Comments on Slaviks Outnumbered: Be an advocateAmandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10354068506217809866noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511331289532772394.post-44757931062793664432013-02-23T18:13:44.911-08:002013-02-23T18:13:44.911-08:00I appreciate this post quite a bit.
I believe str...I appreciate this post quite a bit. <br />I believe strongly in advocating for those who cannot advocate for themselves, and am happy that you had the realizations that you had. It's very empowering to make choices based on our values and to speak out even when it's uncomfortable, and even when sometimes it feels like it has negative repercussions or consequences which has many times been my personal experience. <br /><br />Using our voice to empower those that have less of an opportunity to speak for themselves is a great use of energy and time.<br /><br />Thanks for sharing!<br /><br />PS - really cool to see Marie Forleo's B School link on your blog! She totally rocks. Kylie Slaviknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511331289532772394.post-9149976633122954072013-02-22T11:15:13.399-08:002013-02-22T11:15:13.399-08:00I very much enjoy reading your blog. You make a l...I very much enjoy reading your blog. You make a lot of excellent points in this post (and others). I'd like to share another viewpoint, though... A few months ago, I was at a church activity in a gym with my family. I have twin daughters about the same age as your twins, and one of them (Phia) is mostly non-verbal, blind, and in a wheelchair that she can propel herself (though not very well). She loves to wheel herself around in large areas but often bumps into things or people, so I usually hover an arms length away to ensure her safety as well as the safety of those around her. For some reason, on this day, for a time, I didn't hover (I observed from a distance). What happened was completely eye opening to me!! Numerous people knelt down to talk with Phia, pushed her chair for her, or moved her to a more clear location. These were mostly people who would otherwise have had nothing to do with her! Many of them didn't even really know her! They shared smiles, and it was great for them and for Phia. It was all because I wasn't hovering. Now, don't get me wrong -- I absolutely would have stayed close to my child in the playground situation you mention. However, I am slowly learning that some things I have previously thought of as responsible parenting of a child with special needs (always hovering) might not always be in her best interests. It also might be helpful for people in the community to occasionally have the opportunity to interact with and help my daughter and others like her.Andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13546347150603853508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511331289532772394.post-41374309059051823152013-02-20T19:32:27.490-08:002013-02-20T19:32:27.490-08:00That must have been an incredibly difficult situat...That must have been an incredibly difficult situation. It can be easy to look back and see when we "should" have spoken up, but in the moment it can be so hard to tell. I know I have to be better at being an advocate as well.Barbara Lillynoreply@blogger.com