Manifest Destiny Advocacy



Courtesy of Flickr.com BK

I am present. The Universe and God are showing me loud and clear signs that things are happening. It truly does conspire for me. My vision of a Health Advocacy business expands more each day. I see myself broadening my education and filling my skills gaps. I see myself doing internships and publishing research. I see myself teaching and contracting with hospitals and social services departments. I see myself recruiting health and law students at colleges. I see myself giving T. E. D. talks. I see myself opening nationally. I see my blog giving people the answers they need on the fly. I see myself raising funds. I see myself changing political paradigm.

 

Yesterday I went to the VA with my friend S. Her husband has Alzheimer’s and I’ve been helping her negotiate the “systems” to provide care for both of them.  It was a great meeting where roles were defined, progress was made, and possibilities were brought into the light. I received a packet of information from the VA rep that she only received yesterday; very helpful for those who will be considering long-term Medi-Cal nursing care. I’m excited because it means that my friends will be able to plan and it alleviates the fear of the unknown and loss of assets they have worked so hard to build.



http://www.mooseintl.org/

I volunteered at the Moose Lodge too. While there, my friend Francis (She dubbed me “The Resourceress”) suggested that in my business plan I include creating a fund to grant people the ability to pay for advocacy when they can’t afford it. What an awesome idea to help more people and get paid; I’ve done it for free for so long. I also made sure to sign up for the jackpot which is now over $600; I made an audible plan to spend my winnings on the first UC Berkeley class for health advocacy (August 8 is not far away.) I’ll need a place to stay a night in San Francisco if anyone can put me up.




I love the orchid from Mom!

It’s sprinkling this morning. Hopefully we will get enough to water my garden and skip the hose today. I picked some large strawberries yesterday and trimmed the mint. Wondering what I should do with all that mint I decided to look up some recipes. I pinned a bunch to my Food board on MyPinterest page; yummy sweet and savory ideas! The last of the flowers dropped from my orchid. My mom bought this one for me and it’s the first I’ve ever owned. I’m hooked!

 

I bought some lovely beads from my friend Lea and I’m working on two ideas for a new necklace. I imagined a waterfall of orange flowers. On one hand I have woven a base and started fringe with the flowers; it is feeling like a lot of work and I’m likely to run out of beads or steam before I get the lush bouquet I want. On the other hand I have made a bunch of clusters with the headpins I had on hand and attached them to chain; it’s looking more promising and possible.

 

Courtesy Flickr.com Walkn Boston

I’m such a creative girl. Beader and Advocate. I’m thinking of a name for my business and Creative Advocacy comes to mind. I want a name that is lasting, clear, and conveys what people want to feel when they hire an advocate.

ANSWER THIS:  What feelings would you be looking for in a situation where you need advocacy? What words or phrases would you suggest for a business name?

 

How to Mine for Gold - Pace Yourself

 

I had an amazing day yesterday.  I stuck to my plan and conducted “business” until noon. Then I talked to my brother who is recovering from a recent health crisis. I had a nap. I finished my necklace. I went grocery shopping. I made a beautiful dinner for myself. I talked to friends. I watched some TV. I ate TWO pomegranate and dark chocolate Hagen Daas ice cream bars. I danced in the rain; gorgeous, overdue, welcome, cooling, fragrant drops of water!

 

How was your day?



Courtesy Flickr.com Charlie Day

Yesterday I felt I had found a gold mine.  I am so excited about finding a professional certification program, but feel I found it so quickly I need to think a bit about it…temper my excitement.  My mother always said, “If you still want it after two or more weeks, then it is worth putting more energy into it.” I think that is the real reason I love window shopping.

 

 



Courtesy Flickr.com Tormod Ulsberg

In my new focus on career and building my own business, I feel a need to really know myself. What my strengths, skills, weaknesses, and road-blocks are.  That thinking alone is a big step for me; it requires a pacing that is slower and more controlled than my usual “go for it” behavior. I’m really planning; even my horoscope said that today is the day for a plan!

 



Alliance of Professional Health Advocates

So, instead of diving into the school, I decided to look at the organization that revealed it to me.  The Alliance of Professional Health Advocates helps people in different stages of advocacy. They provide advocates with business support to start and grow their practices. They have 4 levels of membership based on the status/size of your practice.

The Pace membership describes me to a “T”:  “

 

"Maybe you have assisted a friend or loved one, but do not have paid advocacy experience.  You’re looking for a way to boost your advocacy resumé or gain more inside information about this type of career. Or perhaps you’ve been helping others for many years and now you want to figure out how to get paid for the help you provide in the future."

 

The total cost of the first year is $49.00. That is less than my GwynnieBee subscription!

 

Courtesy Flickr.com Ognian Mladenov

For now, I’ll research other organizations and sign up for the APHA non-member newsletter. After all, if I want to be a professional, I need to be my own patient. I would always advise my clients to thoroughly investigate before making a commitment to anyone who is involved in the well-being of their loves and lives.

 

ANSWER THIS:

In the meantime, I need to think about whether I should have a separate blog for advocacy at this point, or should I wait until I have a more professional focus? Do you think it would hurt my long term goal to have others watch me grow into my business?
I feel like it is a more honest approach that will gain interest, loyalty, and readership.