Advocacy
Storytelling: The Art of Advocacy By Jodi Goalstone
impacted you? It doesn’t have to be negative or shocking. It doesn’t have to fit one mold, it has to fit your mold.” Why Storytelling Works Statistics and policy briefs can be important, but stories help others feel why an issue matters. An elected official might forget numbers, but they will remember a vivid description of what it’s like to face a six-month wait for home repairs or the relief of finding affordable respite care. Storytelling builds understanding, empathy, and urgency. How to Craft Your Advocacy Story Like any skill, storytelling takes practice. These tips can help you get started: • Know your timing. Choose moments where your story adds clarity or emotion to a discussion such as a meeting with legislators, testimony at a public hearing, or talking with neighbors about an issue. • Keep it brief. Aim for five minutes or less. Avoid adding unrelated anecdotes or multiple scenarios. • Skip the jargon. Focus on personal impact rather than technical language or excessive statistics. • Make it real. Share concrete details including what you saw, felt, or experienced so listeners can picture themselves in your shoes. • Practice. Write it down, revisit it, and rehearse until it feels natural.
Advocating for issues that matter to older adults such as safety, health care and benefits, nutrition, and affordable housing begins with one of the most powerful tools you already have: your personal story. “Advocacy is using your voice,” says James Fitzpatrick, Director of Advocacy for the Alzheimer’s Association Desert Southwest Chapter. “Be who you are and share your story in a way that feels true to you.”
“You don’t have to emulate anyone,” Fitzpatrick emphasizes. “Speak your truth.” Your Voice Matters Advocacy isn’t limited to legislative visits or media interviews. It happens anytime you share your story with friends, community groups, or neighbors. Every conversation can plant a seed for change. Want to learn more about advocacy opportunities through PCOA? Visit pcoa.org/advocate or contact us at advocacy@pcoa.org to get involved.
Sharing your story connects decision-makers to the real-life impact of policies and programs. Fitzpatrick encourages caregivers and older adults alike to remember they are advocating not only for a loved one but also for themselves: “If the person with dementia didn’t exist, you wouldn’t be here. How has this
Page 14 | September & October 2025, Never Too Late
Pima Council on Aging
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