My Own Capacity

• The issues that fuel my passion is children that suffer from neglect and abuse not being protected from their own parents.  Teachers see children everyday that are quieter than usual or move away when an adult approaches them those are signs that they are afraid of something.  Having a counselor or professional visit with these kids could shed light on what is going on at home.  Providing families with educational opportunities and information on how to deal with their aggression in other ways than on their children is a way to begin protecting the kids. The skills I process that can help is these situations is the willingness and ability ti listen and looking at the problem with open eyes so that an objective approach can take in correcting the way the children are treated.  I feel I am welcoming to those that are hurting and will hold a child as long as needed to help them feel safe again.  Approaching an issue open minded can help all parties involved giving those involved to give their sides and in the end not feel like there are forever condemned for their actions as long as they are willing to admit they are wrong and will work to correct how they treat their children.
  
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My Role as an Advocate

• Working in the healthcare field allows me to help patients from many different demographics and income levels.  While working in the lab I saw children from the local children's hospital that helps those with behavioral issues, have attempted suicide, are dealing with Attention Deficit Disorder, and other issues that are difficult for parents to handle alone.  These children that come into the lab have weekly blood work because of the medications they are taking to help with their issues.  I have talked to a few of them and their stories are heartbreaking.  One child told me that she really wasn't trying to bad a child but her parents gave up on her.  Listening to her made me think that these kids need someone that will help them when their parents feel they cannot.  Standing up and making sure they are treated the way they deserve.  They did not ask to have behaviorial issues and I believe there are times that the environment a child grow is up in can effect how severe the issue gets.  
• Community leaders need to believe strongly in what hey are working on. Other leaders will be more likely to take them seriously if their heart is in it.  When their is a passion it can come through how you speak and get your message across.  Resources necessary is a in depth knowledge and willingness to learn as much as possible. This makes it so that the leader is well aware of changes or intricate parts that make their issue important.
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Personal Advocacy Reflection

A personal experience would be my own adoption at age 2.  I don't remember it personally but I have heard many stories about it. When my birth mother was pregnant with me she had all the intentions in the world to have an abortion but when she went to have it done her doctor told he could not do it because she was just days past the deadline according to Colorado law.  After I was born she kept me and my older brother until I was just under 2 years old.  Without telling many people she took us to Montana to "Visit" some friends.  It was only a weekend trip so she headed back to Colorado at the end of the weekend except it was only she and my brother making the trip back.  She had left me with her friends for an undecided amount of time.  After a period of time the friend s called her asking if she was coming back at which time she told them she would sign her right away if they could either keep me or find some that wanted me.  They got in touch with the Catholic Social Services and I was put into foster care.  It was told to me that the friends here in Montana really fought to make sure I was safe and that being put up for adoption would be the option for me to have a happy childhood.  It was documented in my file that they called weekly to check on me and get update.  

                             

I think this is the reason for my passion to help children comes from knowing how it feels to not belong.  In a perfect world every single child would be loved and well taken care of.  Even with limited income a family can love unconditionally and protect their children rather than cause harm whether it is emotional, physically, or psychologically.