by Isaac Kester, PRC-Saltillo Ambasador and Author
What exactly is the definition of the terms independence and advocacy? Well, according to google, Independence is the state or quality of being free from the control, support, or influence of others. In other words, it’s the feeling of breaking away from whatever makes you live your life. Many people will have different ideas of independence, like the freedom we have under the Constitution, or going out all by yourself. The idea of independence is very important for disabled people as most of us need help in at least one place or another, and sometimes, that makes us sad. Independence is a great gift that we have, yet we sometimes can’t utilize it to its fullest potential. Some people are ok with this. However, in my opinion, they don’t know how great being able to do stuff for yourself feels. A personal example of this would be when I transitioned from mainly watching IPAD that my parents had to control, to being in control over a laptop with Bluetooth. I felt this feeling that I have a hard time finding anywhere else. That is the best way to describe independence, a feeling that you can’t find anywhere else.
Now as for advocacy, it’s defined as “the act of publicly pleading, recommending, or speaking on behalf of an individual, group, or cause” This and independence, I feel, are inseparable. You can’t become independent without advocating for yourself. Now, this can be done in several different senses. You could advocate by writing like I do, by publicly speaking, or by creating. Advocating is our way to tell the world that, not only can disabled people can be independent, but they can ultimately be functioning members of society, sometimes even more so than usual people. Disabled people can often get overlooked because of the outside, when really on the inside, we have a lot of potential to be great members of society.
Editor's Note: Take a look at Isaac's "Derek's Super Ultra Action Team" graphic books series. Really cool.
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