November 5, 2017

Why Do I Advocate for Disability Rights?

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I have been asked more times than I can count why I advocate for people with disabilities. I’ve heard statements like ‘Why don’t you just buy the stroller yourself?‘ Or, ‘Why do you always seem to be fighting some battle around autism?‘

My answer is simple.

It’s the right thing to do. I have the means, a voice, the ability and the passion. And I do it for the people that cannot.

I advocate for the people that don’t have a voice and for people that can’t advocate for themselves. I do it for the people that are on this journey alone. Meaning, they are the sole caregiver for a child. They don’t have a support system or back up. They need more help and services. They don’t deserve to be buried in paperwork and red tape. I fight for people that don’t have the time to wait a year for a stroller, car seat or crib. They have a child that needs it now. I fight for people that don’t speak English or have the means to speak for them self. I believe many people turn away from families that need help because it costs money. It’s time to change that.

I fight for the kiddos and parents that need help and are afraid to ask. The ones that are beaten down and are simply surviving.

Twenty years ago, parents of disabled children banded together and demanded the American’s With Disabilities Act. They demanded for inclusion in schools. They demanded the closure of institutions. Without these warrior parents we wouldn’t be where we are today.

I believe it’s our turn now. So I refuse to sit down and shut up. Yes, I get beat down. And yes, sometimes it feels like I’m not getting anywhere. But I always get back up. I get motivated by other parents just like me.

We will get so much farther together friends!

Take a listen to hear why I advocate and the three battles I am fighting right now.

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Kate Swenson

Kate Swenson lives in Minnesota with her husband Jamie, and four children, Cooper, Sawyer, Harbor and Wynnie. Kate launched Finding Cooper's Voice from her couch while her now 11-year-old son Cooper was being diagnosed with autism. Back then it was a place to write. Today it is a living, thriving community of people who want to not only advocate for autism, but also make the world a better place for individuals with disabilities and their families. Her first book, Forever Boy, will be released, April 5, 2022.

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2 Comments

  1. Bethann on November 7, 2017 at 8:27 am

    Thank you. We have had highs and lows. We are currently in survival mode and are beaten down. No help at home, no village, no friends, no family around, school trouble, health issues, isolated, and feeling incredible guilt for not being where we need to be. We appreciate people like you, speaking out for the community. We were once there and holding on to the hope that we will get there again.



  2. Caryn Schwartz on November 7, 2017 at 3:35 pm

    Thank you Kate…..I am a mommy of 5 kiddos with my youngest son, Kyle, who is 2 who we suspect is on the spectrum. We don’t have an official diagnosis yet but we know. I ran across your page on a recent difficult day and you and Cooper lit up my day. Thank you for all you do with your advocacy, you are making this mom’s little autism world a bit better to bear.