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Grocery Shopping Through Self-Advocacy

A person with curly hair and facial hair is confidently looking towards the camera, embodying the spirit of a self-advocate. The background is bright, with a soft focus effect highlighting their presence as they wear a dark-colored shirt.

By Codi Melnyk

A person with curly hair and facial hair is confidently looking towards the camera, embodying the spirit of a self-advocate. The background is bright, with a soft focus effect highlighting their presence as they wear a dark-colored shirt.My self-advocacy story involves grocery shopping. You see, I was very unhappy with the food that was available in the house where I live.

There was a lot of unhealthy foods like pizza pops and those types of foods. I had to advocate for myself so I could actually use my own money and buy the foods I wanted.

No one seemed to be listening at first but I made sure to keep mentioning it to my support staff. It took a long time before anyone really listened to me.

My request was simple. I just wanted to buy food that I actually enjoyed eating. The cheap unhealthy food that was being provided for me was really getting me depressed.

Finally my support staff listened and set up a plan for me to use my $250.00 a week to buy the food I liked. My advocacy paid off!

My support staff now shows up once a week and takes me to Superstore. I make sure that I have my cash and a list of the groceries that I want to buy.

My support staff assists me in the store and they help me decide on food that is healthy to buy and that is within my budget.

It’s been a great feeling to be able to buy the food that I want each week. Thank you for reading my self-advocacy story.

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Logo for SelfAdvocateNet featuring a drawing of the Earth surrounded by people holding hands. Text reads, SelfAdvocateNet and Our Voice, Our Strength in bold letters.
Red text on a transparent background reads A BIG Thanks to our Sponsors! in a bold, cursive font.
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