Hear Rob's Story

Hey there, I'm Rob Harris, and welcome to AdvocateDadCO. I'm a dad, a husband, a caregiver, and an advocate. But more than anything, I'm somebody who believes that when a system isn't working, we have a responsibility to ask why. And sometimes, we have to do something about it. Now, I've been doing this for a long time, and I'll tell you something. Advocacy isn't always about standing behind a microphone, walking into a government office, or meeting with somebody in Washington, D.C.

Sometimes, advocacy happens at the kitchen table. Sometimes, it's a parent sitting up at midnight trying to figure out why their child isn't getting the services they need. And sometimes, it's just asking one simple question. Why? Why does this have to be so complicated? Why are families expected to understand systems that even the people running them struggle to explain? And here's another question.

Who exactly is accountable when those systems fail? Now, don't get me wrong. I've met some extraordinary people working inside these systems. Dedicated teachers, nurses, therapists, public servants, and professionals who genuinely care. But good people working inside a broken system don't automatically make that system work. That's where advocacy comes in. My daughter Isabelle is blind. She's also one of the reasons I've spent so many years learning about education, disability policy, assistive technology, and the complicated world of services and supports.

And you know what? She's taught me more about determination than just about anybody I've ever met. Recently, we traveled together to Washington, D.C. where we joined other advocates to talk about something that matters deeply to our families. Access, opportunity, and the future of special education. Standing in those halls, talking with people who helped shape national policy, I couldn't help but think about how far we've come.

But I also thought about the families who couldn't be there, the parents who are exhausted, the young adults who are trying to find their own voices, the caregivers who are doing everything they can just to make it through another day. Those are the people I carry into these conversations. And here's something I believe. You don't need a fancy title to make a difference.

You don't need to know every law, every regulation, or every acronym. You need to be willing to learn. You need to ask questions. And when something doesn't make sense, you need the courage to say so. Now, does that mean we always get it right? Heck no. I've made mistakes. I've learned lessons the hard way. And I've certainly had conversations where I walked away thinking, well, that could have gone better.

But that's life, isn't it? We learn, we adjust, and we keep moving forward. Because at the end of the day, this isn't about politics. It's not about getting credit. And it sure isn't about winning arguments on the internet. It's about people. It's about making sure a child who is blind has access to the tools they need to learn. It's about making sure families aren't buried under paperwork.

And it's about holding government and institutions accountable for the promises they make. That's what AdvocateDadCO is about. Practical information, honest conversations, a little humor along the way, and a whole lot of determination. So whether you're a parent, a professional, a policymaker, or somebody who's just trying to figure out where to start, I'm glad you're here. Pull up a chair, ask a question, challenge an idea, because your voice matters.

And together, we might just make these systems work a little better. Thanks for listening. I'm Rob Harris, and this is AdvocateDadCO.