Blog
When We Stop Hiding, Change Begins
For years, I hid. Not because I was ashamed of my son—but because I was exhausted by the judgment. The looks. The unsolicited advice. The quiet assumptions that if I just disciplined him more, corrected him sooner, or tried harder, the behaviors would disappear. People only saw what was happening on the outside. They didn’t…
Abby’s Story – What Advocacy Made Possible
When Abby entered the world, not many people gave her a chance. Born at 29 weeks, one of triplets, she battled the challenges of both prematurity and a heart defect, something common in babies with Down syndrome. One doctor said if she survived, she’d be a “vegetable.” This wasn’t the 1950s – it was 2003.…
Self-Advocacy in Action Toolkit
Staying engaged in the advocacy process is vital, especially for individuals with disabilities and their families. You are the expert in your own life. Your voice matters. By sharing your experiences, you can help shape policies that improve not only your life but also the lives of others in your community. Self-Advocates of Indiana, in partnership with The Arc…
When Advocacy Says “So …” : Protest as Love in Action
Honoring those who show up, speak out, and protect dignity in a space where silence has cost too much. Advocacy isn’t “Because I say so.” It’s “So, this must be said.” In December, I sat in a room filled with applause, warm plates, and long-earned recognition—and felt the weight of how rare moments like this…
When Ordinary People Build Extraordinary Hope
A Time of Courage, Connection, and the Power of Showing Up Lately, I’ve been thinking about how fragile things feel. How families are holding their breath as headlines talk about shutdowns, cuts, delays, and dwindling support. How caregivers wake up every day and do the work anyway — even when systems make it harder than…
Share Your Story – What The Arc Means to Me
Lifting Up Inclusion — Why Disability Employment Matters More Than Ever (And Why We Can’t Be Distracted by Misinformation)
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month — a time to celebrate the talents, aspirations, and dignity of people with disabilities in the workforce. Across Indiana, individuals with autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and other challenges are ready, eager, and highly capable of meaningful work — if we as a society continue to clear away…
When One Child Needs More: Navigating Sibling Dynamics in the Disability Space
In this heartfelt post, Marya reflects on her journey in raising her two sons following her younger son’s autism diagnosis. With years of perspective, she shares honest insights and helpful resources for families and siblings walking a similar path. I want to begin this post in full transparency. I didn’t do it perfectly. In fact,…
Your Story Has Power: How Advocacy Begins in the Everyday Moments We Dare to Speak Up
I didn’t set out to be an advocate. I was just a mom trying to get my son what he needed—a quiet place to regroup, a teacher who understood, a little more time to get from here to there. But what started as a conversation turned into a calling. Because every time I spoke up,…