How You Can Participate in Advocacy Year-Round

The Rocky Mountain MS Center is a proud member of the Chronic Care Collaborative (CCC) — a group of 34 different health organizations in Colorado representing a wide range of chronic diseases. The Collaborative meets at least monthly to discuss policies important to member organizations and their constituents. The CCC advocates at the Capitol to the State General Assembly every year on Chronic Disease Awareness Day where they educate legislators about the burdens of chronic disease on families, budgets, and people’s lives.

Advocacy is not limited to organized events like Chronic Disease Awareness Day. While we always remain politically neutral, there are times when legislators need to hear from people like you. It’s your right to talk to your legislators, and share with them the unique perspective of someone who’s life has been touched by multiple sclerosis. We encourage you to contact your state and national legislators and share your personal story with them.

Here are a few tips for telling your story to legislators, provided by the CCC:

  • Consider what you know about your legislator
  • Consider what you want them to know about what you are advocating for
  • Try to find some commonalities with your legislators.  It is always easier to chat with someone if you can connect with them
  • Tell a story about your “why” – why are you here today? What makes your story important?  What are you trying to accomplish by talking to your legislator?
  • Remember, your legislator may need your guidance on an issue, help guide them by telling them about your personal experience
  • Share what you know about what is happening in your community related to the issue
  • Chat respectively at all times so no one gets defensive if they don’t agree
  • Be concise
  • Don’t be discouraged if your legislator says they do not have a lot of time, they still want to hear from you
  • Keep it simple – it is OK to say,” I am here today raising awareness for chronic diseases, I am a constituent and wanted to introduce myself to you”
  • If you don’t know the answer to a legislator’s question, it is okay to say “I don’t know”
  • Don’t forget to say thank you and to get their business card or email address

March is MS Awareness Month!

Every March we join MS organizations across the country in a national effort to raise awareness of the disease that’s changed so many of our lives. Here are ways you can spread the word and get people involved. In 2017, we’re inviting you to Shine a Light on Your MS — help others understand by sharing your story!

  • Share Your Story! We’re looking for advocates willing to share their stories in an effort to help raise awareness about how MS affects the lives of real people. Tell us what MS Awareness Month means to you, and send us a photo. Send your thoughts (about 100 – 200 words) and photo to the MS Center at publishing@mscenter.org.
  • Use the Rocky Mountain MS Center’s MS Awareness Month badge on your social media during March. (See the badge located on the right side of this page.)
    • To save the image for your Facebook page, right click on the March is MS Awareness Month circle image located on the right of the page and click on Save As.
  • Share this web page on your social media pages using the tool located on the left side of this page.