Introduction: Empowering Voices Through Voting

This week’s teletherapy tip will focus on the importance of using our voices to be the change we want to see in the world.  Your vote is your voice!  As Speech Language Pathologists and educators, we spend our days teaching our students the power of their words.  For those of us who are also parents, we have a double duty to our children.  It is our responsibility to teach them to express their needs and wants.  More importantly, we help them to understand that the ability to effectively communicate EMPOWERS them to advocate for themselves.

The Power of Communication: Advocacy in Speech Language Pathology

We play such a critical role in helping to shape the minds of our future leaders.  We owe it to them to continuously advocate, speak up, speak out, and ensure that we do our part to help them feel safe and secure.  The events going on in our world have been so incredibly heavy, difficult, stressful, challenging, and disappointing.  It is so easy to get discouraged and to start to feel defeated but, these are the times that we need to dig deep and know that the fight must continue.

I am on a mission to do all that I can to make this world a better place for my children and students to live in and I truly hope that you also share this desire.  What we do today has a significant impact on tomorrow and there is far too much at stake to think that we have time to wait.

I would like to encourage you to PLEASE VOTE!

The Urgency of Now: Voting for a Better Tomorrow

We have all heard that we need to, “vote like your lives depend on it”.  The reality is our lives DO depend on it!  People are dying daily from COVID-19. Black people are being murdered by those intended to enforce the law. At the time of this post, California is literally burning by the millions of acres (4 MILLION ACRES at this point).  This should give you a sense of urgency to know that your vote is your voice.  Your vote absolutely matters.  During this election season, please do not wait until November to think about voting.  Make a plan to vote NOW.  Be sure you know exactly the method you intend to use (mail-in ballot or face to face) and check the status of your preferences.

Your Vote, Your Voice: Making Your Vote Count

• Make a Plan
• Check Your Status (visit www.866ourvote.org or call 1-866-OUR-VOTE)
• Don’t Wait
• Vote Early
• Encourage Others
• VOTE!

 

 

I would also like to challenge you to ensure that everyone near and dear to you also has a PLAN TO VOTE.  Help them to check their status and get to the polls if they are planning to vote face to face.  If you can, please volunteer and get involved during this election.

Shaping Future Leaders: The Role of Educators and Parents

Use this, and every election season, as teachable moments for your children and students.  Teach them about the importance of voting.  Incorporate books into the discussion to help them better understand the electoral process.  Our vote is our voice and we owe it to our children and students to exercise the right to vote.

I view my platform as a small space on the internet to share ideas.  I try to use my platform to share things that are important to me and I want to help inspire and empower others.  Someone recently told me that my space may be small but it is mighty.  This resonated with me and I hope you also understand that however small you may think your voice is, you do have the power to inspire others which makes YOU powerful.  Use your power for good!

To find out about your specific voting precincts, election dates, and to research the candidates visit https://www.vote.org/

As always, I hope this information is helpful and if you have any questions or concerns, please comment below or email me directly at belinda@bvgslp.com.

DISCLAIMER:

Please note that the content of this and all previous/future blog posts are for informational purposes only.  Be sure to abide by and follow your company’s policies and procedures.  The information contained within are tips that have worked well for me in my therapy/teletherapy room.