Advocate for Me Virtual Conference- September 2024

This conversation features a group of advocates discussing their experiences and insights on self-care, advocacy, and community support for families with children with disabilities. The speakers share personal stories, emphasize the importance of mental health, and provide practical advice on navigating the system and building a supportive community. They highlight the power of advocacy and the impact of individual voices in creating change. This conversation explores themes of personal transformation, the power of affirmations, the importance of community support, and the journey of advocacy for individuals with disabilities. L'Vonne McMillan shares her experiences of overcoming adversity, the significance of faith and prayer, and the impact of self-care practices. The discussion highlights the challenges faced by parents of children with special needs and emphasizes the importance of connection and support within the community. In this conversation, L'Vonne McMillan shares her journey as a mother of a child with disabilities, highlighting the challenges faced in navigating early childhood intervention systems, Medicaid, and the inequities in special education. She emphasizes the importance of advocacy, community support, and the need for systemic change to better serve families with special needs. Through her experiences, she illustrates the power of resilience, the significance of representation, and the necessity of finding purpose in advocacy work. L'Vonne encourages others to engage in policy change and to support one another in their journeys, ultimately fostering a more inclusive society for all children.