ASHA would like to recognize Kara Vessey, Debbie Sears, and Liz Smith for their outstanding commitment to e-advocacy and ASHA's grassroots program. Kara, Debbie, and Liz have been participating in e-advocacy through ASHA's online Take Action site. Here's a little more about what they do, where they're from, and why they advocate.
Kara (Freda) Vessey, CCC-SLP, practices at Pediatric Speech Therapy of South Riding (Virginia) and is currently working on a master's certificate in Autism at James Madison University. Kara and her husband, Bob, enjoy traveling and spending time with their children, Ethan and Zachary. Kara also enjoys scuba diving, reading and volunteering, including serving on the PTA at her children's school and providing emergency foster care.
Kara was inspired to advocate after completing a congressional internship and witnessing her representative's commitment to constituent concerns. "I was always amazed when I saw him reading the letters his constituents had written," she recalls. "It is important that you let them know how you feel about different issues. It only takes a few moments. They are representing you."
Debbie Sears, CCC-SLP, has been a member of ASHA since 1977. She works at the Moody Clinic, a not-for-profit pediatric outpatient clinic in Brownsville, Texas, as head SLP and Executive Director. Debbie resides in South Padre Island and enjoys traveling, reading, entertaining, and is an avid big-game fisherperson.
Debbie became involved in advocacy after discovering a fraudulent case affecting a Texas state program that provides funding for children with special needs. After doing her research and working with a social worker, she contacted her state senator and representative with her research. The next year, the program was fixed to eliminate fraud.
Liz Imle Smith, CCC-SLP, is a private practitioner and long-time ASHA member in Boulder, Colorado working mostly with children, doing evaluations and treatment. Liz graduated from University of Texas in Austin and completed her graduate work at Stanford. When Liz isn't spending time with her new (and first) grandchild, Lily, she enjoys hiking, gardening, and attending concerts.
Liz finds it easy to use ASHA's e-advocacy system and often forwards the alerts to friends and clients so that they, too, can participate. "Responding to ASHA advocacy e-mails is almost effortless, and the issues are well presented in a very succinct fashion. It is a great way to be up to date on issues affecting us and our clients or patients, even if you disagree with the stance AHSA is proposing," Liz explained. "If we don't speak up for ourselves, one can assume somebody else will, and it might not be what you want to hear!"
Over the past 5 years, these members have sent a total of 279 messages to their congressional leaders. Kudos to you and all ASHA's grassroots advocates for the work you do. Our sincerest thanks!
To get involved in e-advocacy, sign up for the ASHA's Take Action E-List so that you will receive an e-mail when an important issue needs your support. If you're already signed up, visit the main Take Action site to see ASHA's featured action alert is. To learn more about ASHA's grassroots program, please contact Katie Bromley, ASHA's Director of Grassroots Advocacy, at 202-624-8198 or at kbromley@asha.org.