Sitting in a San Antonio hospital two separate times over the last month made me think about the field of Health and Patient Advocacy.  I spoke with an advocate from our WASHAA community while there and she asked if I was 'freaked out or terrified,' to be at the hospital accompanying my family member who had multiple procedures.  While I am not a fan of hospitals or being sick, I told the advocate, I was weirdly calm.  I think this was because of two reasons:  1) I was educated about the statistics, dangers and what hospital staff are up against every day (after giving the Safe & Sound Hospital Talk for many years in partnership with Campaign Zero ( www.campaignzero.org) and 2) I felt confident that I knew what to do! I can say that this experience 100% helped my family get through the hospital stay and follow up.  Health Advocacy is all about helping ordinary people understand what is going on and how to find resources to be successful in navigating health care -- this is what WASHAA is all about!

 

As we start planning our 2019, please contact us about where we can speak to help spread the word. We also hope to be launching several training and workshop initiatives - both new presentations for the community and training advocates to give presentations next year.  Stay tuned!