The symptoms of ALS can lead to physical weakness, but your personal ALS stories are powerful. ALS advocates continue to make a significant impact that often creates meaningful connections that last for years.
Through visits to Capitol Hill, meetings in state capitols, and virtual outreach to elected officials, our ALS patients, caregivers, and families have seen firsthand how their stories make a difference.
Over the past decade, ALS advocates have helped pass ACT for ALS, the ALS Disability Insurance Access Act, and greater funding for ALS research and care at the federal and state levels.
With so many major issues affecting the ALS community today, our advocates are asking: What else can we do?
Here are four ways that you can demonstrate the power of ALS advocacy today and every day:
- Reach out to your member of Congress to schedule a visit in-district during Congressional recess or request a virtual visit over Zoom. If you would like assistance on who to contact, reach out to our team.
- Share important information about how legislation will impact the ALS community on your social media. If you have any questions about legislation so that you can be knowledgeable about it, reach out to our advocacy team or your social workers. To learn more about some of the details of research and advocacy, subscribe to our YouTube channel.
- Attend a scheduled town hall in your Congressional district. Many members of Congress hold town halls in their districts throughout the year. Other issue groups may hold informational meetings as well. ALS United Mid-Atlantic can help prepare you with information for your town hall, questions to ask, and even send you brochures if you would like connect with lawmakers and their staff at these events.
- Talk with your support groups about why other patients and caregivers should participate in ALS advocacy. When people with ALS hear from their friends about the power of advocacy, they are more likely to get involved as well.
There are many ways for people with ALS to make a real difference in advocacy. You are powerful. Join us at https://alsmidatlantic.org/advocacy/become-an-advocate.
If you have additional questions about ALS advocacy, email Tony@alsmidatlantic.org.
For further insight into current advocacy concerns for the ALS community, check out these recent episodes of the ALS United Mid-Atlantic GOALS Podcast: