Self Advocacy for Women Living with Paralysis Webinar February 2021

The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation believes in the importance of self-advocacy. For those living with paralysis, self-advocacy is a critical process that enables individuals to exercise empowerment by speaking up for themselves and self-directing their own lives. Although desired by most, many people struggle with developing advocacy skills. Particularly for women living with paralysis, the double minority status of facing disability oppression combined with gender oppression can diminish one’s ability to feel heard. This webinar will examine what self-advocacy is and where it can take place as well as explore disability stereotypes and gender socialization patterns that can present obstacles for women living with paralysis. By learning about these social inequalities, participants will have greater awareness of power differences and be able to exert greater control over the oppression they face in their advocacy efforts. Themes on the intersections of advocacy, disability, gender, assertiveness, and empowerment will be presented, with concluding tips for women living with paralysis to increase their self-advocacy skills.

Presented by Lauren Presutti
Lauren Presutti, founder of River Oaks Psychology, is a licensed psychotherapist, disability activist, speaker, educator, and community leader. Diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy at age two, Lauren has been using a power wheelchair since she was five years old. Her firsthand experiences revealed that traditional mental health professionals rarely have a lifetime of knowledge and experience to work effectively and truly connect deeply with those affected by medical conditions, chronic illnesses, and disabilities. Lauren's training and knowledge of empowerment, inclusion, resiliency, mental health, ableism, disability, and related topics have motivated her to become a global change agent. Lauren holds a Bachelor's in Sociology from Central Michigan University and three graduate degrees from Grand Valley State University: Master of Education (M.Ed.), Educational Specialist degree (Ed.S.), and Master of Social Work (MSW).

Recorded live February 23, 2021

[carolkihiu]

I love this information am a paralyzed woman am really self advocate. I wish i can help others in my country

[wheelchaircrashtest]

Thank you for sharing our lives arnt easy and thank you kiora