10/14/2026
I’ve spent nearly 20 years working in disability rights law in the U.S. and around the world. I’ve seen how much advocacy asks of people: to keep speaking up, responding to injustice, and working toward change while also managing everything happening in our own lives.
Today, I’m joining Inclusion Armenia’s Self-Advocates Group to talk about disability and emotional burnout. I want to share something I’ve learned through my work and through Disability Power Arena, my disability rights learning and advocacy community: caring for our mental health and supporting our nervous systems, as much as we’re able, matters.
We cannot take on every issue, every day, all at once. Sustainable advocacy needs room for rest, boundaries, support, connection, and joy. You do not have to feel guilty for finding joy while there is still work to be done.
That’s why I talk about “Find Your Fun.” In the Arena, members find joy in all kinds of ways: visual art, music, lip sync and dance videos, sports, and so much more. Finding your fun is part of sustaining yourself so you can keep showing up.
What helps you reconnect with joy? Tell me in the comments. And if you’d like to learn and advocate with us, tap Subscribe on the page to join Disability Power Arena.
Option of each slide:
SLIDE 1 OF 5
DISABILITY ADVOCACY IS HEAVY.
You cannot take on every issue, every day, all at once.
I’ve spent nearly 20 years working in disability rights law in the U.S. and around the world. I’ve learned that caring deeply also means caring for ourselves.
SLIDE 2 OF 5
YOUR MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS.
YOUR NERVOUS SYSTEM MATTERS.
We may not be able to control everything happening around us.
We can make room for rest, connection, and moments that help us feel grounded, as much as we’re able.
SLIDE 3 OF 5
FIND YOUR FUN.
Finding your fun is not separate from advocacy. It helps sustain you so you can keep doing it.
You do not have to feel guilty for finding joy while there is still work to be done.
SLIDE 4 OF 5
WHAT’S YOUR FUN?
In the Arena, our members find joy in all kinds of ways:
• Visual art
• Music
• Lip sync and dance videos
• Sports
• Other creative art
…and so much more.
SLIDE 5 OF 5
CARE FOR YOURSELF, KEEP GOING.
This is something I share with members of Disability Power Arena, my disability rights learning and advocacy community.
JOIN US IN THE ARENA