Four Powerful Days of Advocacy on Capitol Hill
As a Member of the ASPECT Prevent Blindness Patient Engagement Summit
I just returned home from four days of advocacy in our nation’s capital and I’m excited to share the highlights of the experience.
[ID: Kim stands in front of the US Capitol]
How it started
In July of 2024, I applied to become a member of the Prevent Blindness ASPECT Patient Engagement Program. Thrilled to join Cohort #8 (The Great Eight!), I attended six months of bi-weekly trainings over Zoom.
ASPECT stands for: Advocacy, Support, Perspective, Empowerment, Communication, and Training. The program culminates in an advocacy opportunity on Capitol Hill. I learned so much about advocacy from the experts at Prevent Blindness. The most important lesson being the difference in “BIG A” and “small a” advocacy. Advocacy encompasses any public action to support and recommend a cause, policy, or practice. “BIG A” advocacy focuses on changing systems, policies, laws, or rules at the local, state, and national levels. “Small a” advocacy is self-advocacy and allyship. Self-advocacy means speaking up for yourself and communicating your needs, desires, and rights. Allyship means speaking up for others such as family, friends, and loved ones. Both “Big A” and “small a” advocacy are important.
As the mother of a blind child, I have always advocated for my son in educational, private, and public settings but I didn’t have much experience with BIG A advocacy. I think the most important factors I learned in the program were how to tailor my story to a specific audience in succinct 1, 2 and 5-minute formats.
How it concluded
The last four cohorts of ASPECT gathered to in DC to connect and share our stories with Members of Congress.
There were several events leading up to the big day on The Hill including the Story Slam and The Vision Monologues. I was honored to be one of six advocates chosen to share my story with the large group of blind and low vision individuals, allies, and medical professionals. Below is a video of me reading my 5-minute story titled, If Only. This 5-minute story was tailored to speak directly to medical professionals.
[ID: Kim stands behind a podium and delivers her story]
For more about this adventure please visit (and follow us) on Instagram: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3 & Day 4.
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Thanks,
Kim
Kim, I just watched your video "If only". Thank you for sharing your story. Bravo on your powerful 5-minute speech.
"Four Powerful Days of Advocacy on Capitol Hill. As a Member of the ASPECT Prevent Blindness Patient Engagement Summit" by @kim Owens
"The last four cohorts of ASPECT gathered to in DC to connect and share our stories with Members of Congress.
There were several events leading up to the big day on The Hill including the Story Slam and The Vision Monologues. I was honored to be one of six advocates chosen to share my story with the large group of blind and low vision individuals, allies, and medical professionals."