Building Social Capitol for Self-Advocates and Self-Advocacy Organizations

Cathy has lived in the Kansas City area her whole life. She has always been passionate about speaking up for others that are oppressed and have not found their voice yet. She realized the civil rights movement was just like the disability rights movement and set out to foster a relationship with one of our local civil rights leaders, Congressman Emmanuel Cleaver. As a result of this on-going friendship and work they have done together, she has been asked to participate in many events, one being the Martin Luther King Day celebration. See a clip from her speech here. When we can help others in a position of power to understand we can work together toward our common goals, people with disabilities become equal partners at the table. We can be a part of decisions about people’s lives instead of hoping others make the right choice about our lives.