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Reflecting on Advocacy and Leadership

Carleigh Olive

College of Education, Butler Univesity

The Intersection of Disability and Sport

Dr. Erin Garriott and Dr. Lisa Farley

June 30, 2023

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Everything I experienced on this trip was unforgettable and educational. Going to

Hamburg and seeing the advocacy work at the Dialogue House changed my perspective on

advocacy. That was just the beginning of my learning, though. Watching members of Special

Olympics International, Global Athlete Congress (GAC), athletes, and other volunteers advocate

for those with disabilities and showcase their leadership taught me a lot as well. Through them, I

learned that advocacy does not always have to be a grand gesture; it can be something small but

meaningful. I also saw what it means to be a leader on a global, local, and individual scale. These

experiences have changed me and led me to reflect on what being an advocate and leader means.

My experience at the Dialogue House made me rethink what I knew about advocacy. The

leaders we met during the Dialogue in the Dark and Dialogue in Silence simulations showed me

what it means to advocate for all. Before this experience, I thought advocacy had to be on a large

scale–something akin to policy changes or other grand changes. After having this experience and

talking with the leaders, I realized that educating can be a form of advocacy. The museum

focuses on advocating for empathy and understanding, educating visitors on disability and the

community.

During the simulations, many within the group, including myself, advocated for

themselves and helped others when they needed support. When someone needed help navigating,

others would give them signals by tapping on the objects to guide them. It was not my first

experience with self-advocacy; however, it felt different from what I had experienced before. I

had to rely totally on others, many of which I had only known for a few days. It made me rethink

what advocacy feels like since most of the time, when I self-advocate, it feels more like an uphill

battle or having one of my friends acknowledge my needs. This, however, felt different. I
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immediately felt supported and significantly safer, knowing the others were guiding me. I knew I

could rely on each person to help me and ensured they knew they could depend on me.

While I would love to say that I only have positive realizations from this experience, that

is not the case. During the blindness simulation, a few people from our group could not

participate for various reasons. There was no alternative option for them, so they did not get to

experience the simulation. I do understand the intent of having only one option for this

simulation, however, that does not make it fully accessible and inclusive. Seeing how being

unable to do the simulation affected some made me realize, once again, that advocating for one

group of people is not enough. We must advocate for all.

My time with Special Olympics was filled with countless leaders and advocates striving

to make a more inclusive world. One moment I want to highlight was when Connal advocated

for GAC to have a warmer welcome. He organized the airport welcome, consisting of Special

Olympic International staff, the Global Athlete Leadership Council, a few volunteers, and our

group. Connal recognized that GAC did not get as much recognition as the athletes participating

in the games, so he advocated for them to get the recognition they deserved. It was a small

gesture, making signs and showing up for them, but seeing the look of shock and pure joy on the

GAC members’ faces made me realize the big impact it had. Advocacy does not have to be

grand. It can be something as simple as leading and showing up for others. This experience

proved that advocacy can and should be integrated into daily life.

The GAC is a group of incredible leaders from all across the world. Each of these leaders

created a project that focused on inclusion and training new leaders. As I learned about the

members’ projects, I was stunned by the reach each one had. Most projects focused on a local

issue, whether that be increasing access to menstrual products and information or teaching
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athletes and their siblings basic computer skills. However, they still had a global reach as their

advocacy was brought to global audiences. I learned a lot from these leaders and their projects.

Firstly, the importance of training new leaders in an inclusive environment. Nearly all of the

projects I learned about had some aspect of unified inclusion, so when training the new athlete

leaders, they were introduced to this highly valuable environment. They also taught me what it

means to be a leader: brave, creative, passionate, determined, and innovative. Each one saw a

problem, but rather than fixating on it, they saw an opportunity to help others. They turned the

situation into one that can benefit all. They turned environments and topics not previously made

inclusive into ones that benefit athletes and the entire community. In my opinion, the ability to do

this is the ultimate characteristic of a leader.

Many athletes were global advocates and leaders; however, the one I am highlighting

beautifully encapsulates what it means to be a global advocate. Kearsty McCoy is a swimmer for

Team USA who won silver in 100-meter Backstroke. After winning silver, she was interviewed

by ESPN. In that interview, Kearsty tells the viewers never to give up, even if it seems

impossible, “because your dreams can come true” (Special Olympics Oklahoma 2023). Keasrsty

advocates for everyone who has ever been told they cannot, that it is impossible, and tells them it

is possible. She does not only advocate for those with disabilities but for everyone, regardless of

identity or differences, worldwide. By saying this message to a global audience, Kearsty acts as a

leader, fighting for inclusion and acceptance. She leads this discussion knowing the platform

ESPN has and the impact of her message. Kearsty’s words made me realize that being an

advocate requires being a leader, and being a leader requires being an advocate for all. There is

not one without the other; they must go hand in hand.

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My time at Healthy Athletes allowed me to see different ways one can be a leader while

providing me with opportunities to be a leader myself. At Healthy Promotion, there were many

different types of leaders that I learned from– those who ran Healthy Promotion, those who ran

particular stations, and those who were not in leadership positions but became leaders anyways.

What they all had in common was that they did not wait to be told how to do something or what

they should do. They acted without having to be told. They became leaders to solve the problem,

ensuring that what needed to get done did get done. I had a similar mentality while volunteering,

becoming a leader at the check-in station. I was the only person who spoke a little Spanish, so

anytime there was someone who spoke Spanish, I would always ensure they could come to me to

be with someone who knew a little of the language. When there were multiple people who only

spoke Spanish and had to be checked in by those who did not speak the language, I would act as

a translator. No one told me to do this, but I saw a need for someone to step up, so I did. This is

what it means to be a leader.

Everyone can be an advocate and a leader, and it can easily be integrated into everyday

life. The lessons I learned on this trip are something I will remember for the rest of my life. I will

continue to reflect on how I can use my leadership skills to advocate for all and create inclusive

environments. Each of these experiences led me to think about how I can be an advocate as an

educator. It made me reflect on ways I have been an advocate many times without realizing it.

Everything I have learned and experienced on this trip has only made me think of more ways I

can advocate for my future students and the groups of people I will be teaching about as a history

teacher.
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Works Cited

Special Olympics Oklahoma. (2023, June 26). Congratulations to our own Kearsty

McCoy! We are overjoyed to announce that she won [video]. Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/specialolympicsoklahoma/videos/706119167945805