Advocacy for the Real World

Ideal Lives Project
416 Frances St.
Enid, OK 73703
USA

lisa@ideallives.com

"We use your ideas on a regular basis! Thank you!" ~ LyRae Davis, DSA, Charlotte, NC

Practical Support for Special Needs Advocates

Publications > Advocacy for the Real World

“Advocacy for the Real World”

A Dynamic Parent Support Group -- am I describing yours?

A few months ago I received this email,

"I am the mother of a three year old hearing impaired child. I would like to get a support group started to the Baton Rouge area. What should be the thing discussed first? What do you think is the most important? Do you have ideas how I should approach starting one?"

Support groups are an awesome idea. They give parents a local place to share ideas and recommend resources that are working for them to others. They also give parents a great place to vent! Being a parent is hard work and every parent needs a safe place to talk about what's working & where they need help. Plus it's always nice to know you're not alone.

But sometimes turning a "wonderful idea" into "reality" becomes a whole lot more work than you bargained for.

Does any of this sound familiar?

"I see a real need for a support group in my community, but I'm just not sure where to start?

"I started a group a few months ago, but I'm never sure what topics we ought to be discussing -- what if I skip something important!"

"I love my support group. But lately is seems like all we do is complain -- no one knows enough to help us move from problems to solutions."

"I live in a small town -- where am I going to find quality speakers that won't cost us a fortune?"

"My to-do list is already down to my knees -- I just can't seem to find the time to prepare materials or plan meetings."

Give yourself a break! Leading a group doesn't have to be so hard. Advocacy for the Real World can help:

"I just spent some time reviewing your manual -- you've always got the perfect ideas! The "system" you describe in your manual eliminates all of the "overwhelm" for new support group leaders. It's a complete "how to" manual and a true time saver because all of the planning and preparation are done for you. This manual is guaranteed to be a well-thumbed resource for many busy support group leaders."

~ Pat Wyman, M.A.
Author, Amazing Grades
Founder, www.howtolearn.com

Getting Started:
If you are starting your support group from scratch, you are going to have invest a little time up front in the basics --- finding a place to meet and letting others know about your group. I offer some tips and ideas to help in my article, How to Grow Your Parent Support Group.

Selecting Meeting Topics:
Once your group is ready to start meeting -- Advocacy for the Real World becomes you're secret weapon!

It offers 3 different 12-month meeting guides, just select the one that fits your group best or mix and match meetings to create your own custom plan. To see how simple meeting planning can be, request a free sample below:

Moving from Problems to Solutions:
The best way to move from problems to solutions is to learn more about your options. Advocacy for the Real World is designed to offer practical information and tips on the problems most frequently faced by parents raising children with special needs. As you combine this commonsense information with the wisdom of your group members you will quickly find that solutions begin appearring from every direction.

Finding Guest Speakers:
Locating knowledgabe speakers can be a real problem. Especially if you live in a small town or rural area. Fortunately, the Internet makes it easy to seek out state level experts and technical assistance programs designed specifically to provide public training. You can't afford not to tap into these rich resource systems and put them to use for your group.

Keeping Preparation QUICK & EASY:
I know that your time is precious. You need to be able to put meetings together in a hurry.

Picture this:

You check the guide for this month's topic.

Print off the suggested online information sheet for a discussion starter or take home reading.

Grab the phone number for the topic's technical assistance center and request a speaker for the night of your meeting.

That's it -- you're done in a matter of minutes and the meeting is all set. You have a relevant topic, an expert speaker to handle questions, and even some extra tips to send home after the meeting.

If that sounds like the kind of meeting planning you can handle -- Click Here to order your copy of Advocacy for the Real World for just $25.00!

"Your Advocacy for the Real World series is top notch as is all of your material. We are using it in a workshop series right now and people love it! This series of workshops promises to be the most exciting and useful information that we have been able to bring to our families. The ARC here consists of myself and my partner who is very part time. You have saved us so much time and energy we can't thank you enough!"

~ Linda VanOpynen
Ottawa County, MI

What You Get:

Dealing with Emotions - My special section of tips and advice on things you can do as a group leader to help your advocates manage difficult emotions and increase their effectiveness.

Expert tips on how to be a more effective group leader.

My list of 3 Things Every Advocate Needs (HINT: They don't come from a store!)

3 different 12-month meetings guides for a total of 36 pre-planned meetings.

I want your group to be a huge success. Successful support groups mean more effective, more knowledgable advocates. And that leads to better outcomes for individuals with special needs. Isn't that why we're all here?

Here's to your group's success!

Lisa Simmons - Director, Ideal Lives Project

P.S. Has your group always been more about Emotional Support than Skill Development? I believe that's a vital part of support groups as well. That's why I dedicate an entire section of Advocacy for the Real World to tips and ideas that will help you grow a group where members feel truly supported and nourished. Don't miss out on this terrific tool ---

Click Here to order your copy today!

Special Bonuses If You Order Right Now

Not sure? To make sure you're absolutely delighted with your purchase I'll include 2 special reports on topics I know are close to your heart:

Bonus #1: "Help! I Think My Student with Special Needs is Being Bullied"

Bonus #2: "How to Include Students with Special Needs in Extra Curricular Activities"

By the way, these bonus reports are yours to keep even in the unlikely event you decide to take advantage of our ironclad money back guarantee:

Your Purchase Is 100% Guaranteed

Each Ideal Lives eBook comes with its own "No Hassles" guarantee. Purchase and use your eBook RISK FREE for 3 months. If you don't find the information you need, drop me an email for assistance. Then if you still don't think it's the right resource for you -- ask for your money back and we'll cheerfully refund it.

Here's how to order right now! Once you submit your credit card information on our secure server, you will be immediately redirected to our download center where you can instantly download your eBook.

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You must obtain written permission to use any content on this page. The advice contained within this web site is offered for your consideration. You, as a parent or professional, must decide whether any of the ideas presented here should be implemented in your unique situation. The staff of the Ideal Lives Project encourage all site visitors to always utilize this information in a manner that is respectful and in the best interest of their child, student or loved one.