We are all advocates, everyone who reads this page. We have a disability, or a loved one with a disability, or a patient with a disability, or a student or client with a disability. We all are in some way advocating for a life. Most often it is our own.

A favorite poet of mine, Edgar Guest, published two poems in the early 1900’s that continually remind me of who we are, what we do, and why we do it. The first, The Call, is for all of us taking the time to read this. We are called to helping either ourselves, or others. We are called to make the world a better place.

The Call
By
Edgar Guest

Joy stands on the hilltops,
Beckoning to me,
Urging me to journey
Up where I can see
Blue skies ever smiling,
Cool green fields below,
Hear the songs of children
Still untouched by woe.

Joy stands on the hilltops,
Urging me to stay,
Spite of toil and trouble,
To life’s rugged way,
Holding out a promise
Of a life serene
When the steeps I’ve mastered
Lying now between

Joy stands on the hilltops,
Smiling down at me,
Urging me to clamber
Up where I can see
Over toil and trouble
Far beyond despair,
And I answer smiling:
Some day I’ll be there.

Yes, some day we’ll be there. That is our prayer. That is our mission. But joy can be elusive, and many times we are overwhelmed with the difficulty of the task. These times, when it all seems so unbearable, are when The Few step up to the plate and keep going.

Who are the few? The few are pioneers like Justin Dart. The few go the extra mile like Christopher Reeve. The few are classic like Helen Keller. The few never tire like Karen Clay. And, the few keep on loving with their advocacy - especially when they think they have nothing left to give.

The Few
By
Edgar Guest

The easy roads are crowded
And the level roads are jammed;
The pleasant little rivers
With the drifting folks are crammed.
But off yonder where it’s rocky,
Where you get a better view,
You will find the ranks are thinning
And the travelers are few.

Where the going’s smooth and pleasant
You will always find the throng,
For the many, more’s the pity,
Seem to like to drift along,
But the steeps that call for courage,
And the task that’s hard to do
In the end result in glory
For the never-wavering few.

So here is my slogan for 2004, “Have you hugged an advocate today?” Because we all need it! And to all of you out there that have received The Call and work as one of The Few, I salute you.