4 Susan: Like many people with MS, I have a symptom called foot drop. The muscles that lift my foot when I walk don’t function properly. This can make it difficult to go up the steps – sometimes my foot doesn’t lift high enough to clear the step and I trip. I also have problems with my balance, which puts me at even more risk for falls. You’ll notice in the paperwork that my doctor made note that I have these symptoms. John: I see. I think our team didn’t understand the effects of foot drop, and how that was connected to the need for a ramp. Well, with this additional information, I can ask for your case to be reconsidered. Susan: I’m very glad to hear that. When can I expect a response? John: Our risk management team should get back to you in another 30 days. Susan: I appreciate that, John. But considering that I did provide the proper documentation, and that there is a risk that needs to be managed here, do you think you could do anything to hurry that along? John: All I can promise is that I will try. I’ll call them today. Susan. Then I’ll follow up with you on Monday to see how that call goes. Thank you so much for meeting with me today, and for whatever you can do to help. When Susan followed up with John, she learned that John took up her cause with the risk management team, and he was able to get a verbal approval of her request. Within a few weeks, the ramp was installed. Recruiting others to the cause Consider TMI: • Time • Money • Inclination Time, money, and inclination are the key factors that determine how involved a person is likely to become in advocacy. So when you seek help from family, friends, or others in the MS community, keep in mind a person’s level of time and money, as well as their inclinations. A simple example: while a busy person may only have time to sign a petition, one with more free time might join in getting signatures. An artist with limited funds might not get involved in making signs for an event if they have to bring their own supplies, but might do so if supplies were donated by someone who didn’t have an artistic inclination, but was able to donate money.