Difference Maker

Advocate

a person who fights for the cause of another

a term that nurses are taught to tag onto RN

Advocate

something I thought I was

turns out 

I really wasn't

I like the nice part of being an advocate. The getting more pain medication for a distressed patient. The switching of rooms so a lady can be with her husband. The sweet Hallmark nurse advocate.

What I have learned both in carrying for my children and from my fellow house mothers is that a true advocate has a strong passion and is not afraid of confrontation. Well, at least I hate confrontation with a passion.

I have learned that being an true and good advocate for my children is not always fun but it is always right. I have heard horrible things said about the kids by medical professionals, my fellow advocates, because my kids don't fit everyone else's definition of normal. I have had things thrown at me and more confrontation then I need in a lifetime. I have cried more tears as a real advocate then I care to remember.

My nurse friend Kim is an advocate.  She flew to India for a week to help me implement the World Health Organization's medication/feeding program for severely malnourished children. It is an intensive program that involves around the clock antibiotics (IV and oral), vitamins/minerals and feedings for seven days. My kids missed out on a lot of vital nutrients and are very often continually sick. The hope is that this program gives their immune system the boost it needs to fight infections.

I learned this past week that being a true advocate is, at times, exhausting. And it even means that sometimes I have to subject my children to pain. But passion is what kept me going. Knowing that my kids would be healthier, stronger and require less hospital visits got me up at 2am for injections and again at 7am for feedings. 

Advocates are also selfless, and Kim demonstrated this to me this week as she even let me sleep through one of the midnight medication administrations. She was a gift from God and a breath of fresh air that rejuvenated my tired nursing heart. I will never be able to thank her enough.

I am learning that advocates are not rude or pushy but achieve the best results when fighting with grace. Advocates, who advocate well, have a passion and a grace that is contagious. Sarah is an amazing advocate for her children and has the respect of all she comes into contact with when fighting for their absolute best. And since I have come here and started fighting for these babies I have had so many doctors and random (God placed) strangers wanting to know how they too can fight for these special children. Love and grace are contagious

I came to India with one goal, to love well. That means more then gushy hugs and kisses, giving the kids cookies or cuddles. Loving well requires a want, a passion, a longing for something better, for my children, at whatever the cost to my pride or my comfort.

Advocate

dictionary definition: "high priest"

The High Priest is also

my personal

Advocate

before the throne of

God Almighty.

How could I not

be a good true

Advocate 

for those He has

given me?

“If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk,  and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.”  ~Isaiah 58:9b-12