You ever find yourself giving someone advice, and then a few days later realizing you’re not taking it? I think it happens to most people and I used to think it made me a hypocrite, but now I feel, more times than not, it’s a matter of empathy. When we give someone advice, it’s usually our past experiences talking. It’s usually some advice we learned from our own life lessons. Then, when we see someone else in a similar situation, we want to reach out to them and help them work through it, just like we worked through it before. This is the definition of empathy. However, just like time heals all wounds, it also sometimes makes us forget these tips/tricks/lessons we have learned in the past. We find ourselves doing the opposite of what we have told others to do.

I think this happens a lot in the world of advocacy (or, if I'm being honest, parenthood in general). I’ve noticed fellow moms with kids who have special needs repeating some similar things I have mentioned in the past. I will be scrolling through my Instagram feed and I will read advice from a mom. It will sound familiar, because it’s something that being on this path dealing with Down Syndrome has made me realize. However, I might see it in a new light. I may have forgotten it and needed reminding. I may have needed that advice I have given others because life and time sometimes makes you forget the important lessons. “Be patient with your kid. He will get there; it just might take a little longer.” “Don’t stress too much about therapy. There will be good days and bad days.” “You will be able to live the life you thought. It might just need to be modified to some degree.” I can go on and on. I might say one of these things one day, and then find myself forgetting it completely another day. It can also be that, for whatever reason, at a particular moment, it’s easier said than done and therefore, I don’t put in all of my energy in following that advice. I think it’s one of the benefits of joining a community, even if it is virtually. We remind each other. We support each other. We inspire each other to keep going through the journeys of parenthood, advocacy, and just life itself.