Larraine and Larisa

Larraine cannot hear, see or talk and is confined to a wheelchair.

In the beginning her advocate, Larisa, would sometimes say, "I'm not sure what I can do or how I can help. I'm not even sure Larraine knows I'm there!"

Now however, becoming ever more fluent in 'the language of the heart' where no words are needed, Larisa no longer has any doubt about her place in Larraine's life and Larraine's place in hers.

For us, who may not be so fluent in that language, Larisa translates for Larraine:

when the tide
brings you
no beacons are lit

in my country
your kiss
your own fingers
announce you

in my castle
I keep no song birds

there is silence
at my table
the feet of my
servants do not echo

I command no fool
employ no heralds
rule without decree
give you no title

my sounds cannot
be ordered

I am as I am

I breathe
your intimacy
inhale your secrets

and in the deep
place of my being
I hold you secure.

How can I get involved?
There are various ways to be involved with Citizen Advocacy. 
Below is a list of different roles that may be of interest to you. 
If you would like to find out more about them, we invite you to 
give us a ring or drop by our office to discuss your interest. 
Alternately, you could drop us a line at enquiries@capw.org.au  
 
Possible Roles with Citizen Advocacy

Advocate
Advocates do not need special qualifications, experience or indeed prior involvement with people with disabilities. They do, however, need to believe strongly in the right and need of people with intellectual disability to be treated with dignity and respect. They need to be prepared to enter into a long-term relationship, where they will be diligent in safeguarding the well being of the person with intellectual disability and wherever and whenever necessary, speak up and take action on their behalf.

Advocate Associate
Advocate Associates are primarily a resource for Advocates. They are people who have expertise, knowledge or experience in a particular area (such as physiotherapy, housing, legal issues etc), which may assist an advocate to deal with a specific issue in the life of their person with disability. Although not involved in the actual advocacy themselves, Advocate Associates provide time and information to advocates free to charge.

Crisis Advocate
Crisis Advocates need to have the same beliefs as long term advocates, however their role is more task orientated and generally only lasts long enough to resolve a specific issue in the life of the person with disability. Typically, a Crisis Advocate is a resourceful, persistent and versatile person with calm self-confidence.

Link Person
A Link person is someone who, in effect, assists us to recruit appropriate advocates. We ring them from time to time to ask if they know of someone within their network of friends and acquaintances, who fits the profile of the person we are seeking as an advocate and who may be willing to hear about Citizen Advocacy.

Board Members
In addition to attending and participating in monthly meetings which oversee the employed staff and the operation of the programme, our volunteer board members are also encouraged to involve themselves actively in all other aspects of the programme.

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