Become an Epilepsy Advocate
ADVOCATE FOR EPILEPSY
Contact us to see how you can help! Helping a local, not-for-profit epilepsy organization is a GREAT way to get involved as an epilepsy advocate. Assistance from volunteers (like YOU!) can help the epilepsy organizations across the country (and world) run thousands of epilepsy awareness/fundraiser events each year.
In the state of Florida, where our parent organization The Epilepsy Association is located, there are many events each year such as the Orlando Epilepsy Walk, the Brevard County/Melbourne Florida Epilepsy Walk, the Central Florida Auto Dealers Association “AutoClassic” Golf Tournament and Auction, Purple Day(r) Around The World For Epilepsy Awareness at Walk Disney(r) World Resort as well as many other activities and events you can get involved with.
You could also be trained for legislative advocacy or how to conduct presentations to educate on epilepsy and more. Consider volunteering and spreading epilepsy awareness and education.
We can help get you in touch with your local epilepsy organizations. We and they need YOU!
Finally, below are some general, helpful steps to become an advocate for a specific issue that you or a friend/loved one may face!
Identify the current problem
What is the issue or disagreement?
What is needed?
What do I specifically want?
What does the other side want?
Obtain complete information
Look at and obtain copies of records, evaluations, etc.
Know the laws, regulations, and policies
Obtain an independent evaluation if necessary
Look at it from the viewpoint of the other side
What do they want and why?
Try to understand their arguments
How does their viewpoint differ from mine?
Make contacts
People with disabilities and their families.
Other disability advocates or professionals.
Psychologists, physicians, therapists, and counselors.
Talk with someone else before a meeting.
It helps to:
Gain a different perspective
Organize one’s thoughts and arguments
“Blow off steam” and calm oneself
Make a plan
What am I going to do?
Who is going to do what, when, when, and where?
Whom am I going to contact, and how will I approach them?
What are my goals and what am I prepared to settle for?
Are letters necessary?
Is a meeting needed?
What are the alternatives?
Look at all alternative solutions (talk to others)
TAKE ACTION
Be persistent
Use efficient communication
Follow through
