OCCK StoriesGoing The Distance

Penny, Ronald, and Chris—have been on a self-advocacy journey for over a year, making strides in strengthening their voices and driving positive change for themselves and their communities. As participants in the 2023 Blue Cross Blue Shield Pathways grant, they had the opportunity to attend leadership training at the Kansas Leadership Center in Wichita, where they embraced the “Everyone Can Lead” philosophy.

Since then, they’ve been actively involved in state and local Self Advocate Coalition of Kansas (SACK) meetings and conferences, sharing their insights and advocating for what matters most to them. Last week, they attended the SPEAK Up Conference in Mission, KS—an exciting event that focused on advocacy and state legislative involvement. This was the first SPEAK Up Conference, and all three agreed it was an amazing experience. They connected with state legislators, rekindled friendships, made new ones, and heard from speakers who work on federal and national levels.

Penny, Ronald, and Chris left the conference inspired and are already making plans to join the Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities (KCDD) and participate in the Change Agents Program (CAP), which began in 2024. CAP advocates volunteers to build relationships with decision-makers in their communities to create positive change for the IDD community in Kansas. Additionally, the three have joined the Sunflower Insurance Advisory, where they voice their concerns and advocate for themselves and others, while also participating in specific interest groups that align with their passions.

Even with a packed schedule, the group managed to enjoy some downtime in the Kansas City area. Chris, a train enthusiast, visited Fred’s Train Store and Union Station. They also did some shopping, explored cool spots around KC, and dined at Whataburger—Patrick Mahomes’ favorite restaurant.

These three are fully committed to their journey of self-advocacy, embodying the mantra, “Nothing about us without us,” to ensure the full participation and equal opportunities for people with disabilities. There’s no stopping them!