SELF-ADVOCACY: Following Up

by Lisa Gesson

If you read my article last month on the written follow-up letter, you might remember that I suggested different letters for dealing with being ignored and receiving a negative response. Those letters should be written differently. After sending a letter, however, there is little difference between being ignored and receiving a negative response.

You made a polite verbal complaint, you wrote a brief follow-up letter and now what? At this point, these are the scenarios you are dealing with: They said they would take care of your problem, or they ignored you or they gave you a negative response.

They said they would take care of your problem. Great! But now you need to be vigilant and make sure that something happens. Make sure that the work they promised to do, whether it was building a ramp, removing a restrictive sign or implementing a new policy, gets done in the timeframe promised to you, or ask what has slowed the process and what will be the new date of completion.

They ignored you or gave you a negative response. This is a very frustrating situation, but don’t lose hope. You can try calling again, and if you still get no response, go over this person’s head. Send the head of the organization, office or agency a letter outlining the situation and enclose a copy of your original letter. (Never send the only copy!) If your first letter was already to the “big boss,” it may be time for you to look elsewhere for advice. Contact the Advocacy Program at United Spinal Association for advice on your particular situation; every problem is as different as every individual. We’ll do our best to advise you on the next course of action, and work with you to find a helpful solution.

Moving Forward

Whatever the resolution, please be sure to share your successes and challenges with others. The best advocates share advice, both giving and taking, from others. If you have a problem, chances are, others experience the same or a similar problem, maybe even with the same person. Don’t forget that someone lived through this problem before you, others will deal with it after you and you can help alleviate other people’s difficulties by sharing and modeling your advocacy skills for newer advocates. Even if you did not get the problem completely solved to your satisfaction, using these skills to help others with their problems means that you are achieving a positive and remarkable impact. That makes you a forward moving advocate. Congratulations!

Lisa Gesson is a Regional Advocate.