What is a Self Advocate?

A self advocate is a person working on behalf of oneself to take an active role in one’s own care and treatment, or social services. For example, a person with Down syndrome who sits on the board of a local or national DS association, or who makes his or her own decisions about medical care and treatment. It may be with the help of others, but ultimately the decisions are their own.

The following is information about our very own Jessica Green!

About Jessica Green

Hello! My name is Jessica Green. I am proud to say that I am a self advocate, inspirational speaker, and a serve on the Down Syndrome Indiana Board.

I am now 25 years old and have and hope to continue to have a full and meaningful life. My parents were told that they would have to motivate me to do most everything when I was a baby and boy were they misinformed. I love helping families understand what a great life and future they and their child will have.

I completed high school where I was in an inclusive program and worked part-time. I volunteered at the YMCA and Humane Society. I then went on to attend Marion College for one year and now I am working at Advantage Medical in Carmel, Indiana. I volunteer at DSI and socialize whenever I can. I am in the process of moving out of my parents house and into an apartment which is exciting and a bit scary but I really can't wait. I continue to "push the envelope" as my mom would say.

This summer I was a presenter on a panel discussing relationships at the National Down Syndrome Conference in Boston. I also performed at the talent show with a friend that I met last year at the conference in Kansas.

I hope to continue to become more involved as a self advocate and work and see my life unfold as an adult.

For more about Jessica visit here blog by clicking here.