Laura McLinn is one of the kindest, gentlest people I know – and she is also one of the fiercest advocates for what she believes in.

She is quite literally a world changer.

Her story is especially important in this month of February since February is Rare disease month. Some people may not think that this affects them, because rare disease is rare – it’s someone else’s journey. But “rare” is not actually that rare. There are 25 - 30 million Americans with a rare disease – that’s one person on every elevator you get into. Imagine how many people that is when you walk into a grocery store. So...... I venture to guess that everyone knows someone for whom this month of advocacy is critical and important.

Advocacy is really just telling our stories and building relationships. Advocating and storytelling can happen on a large scale – at a national level, or on a smaller scale – in our schools or neighborhoods or with our doctors and healthcare providers.

And just like everyone probably knows someone with a rare disease, everyone can be an advocate for change. Whether it’s a disease or health issue or anything else that you believe in and feel strongly about, telling our stories and advocating for change is for all of us.

Laura went from a mom who had never been in her state house, to wrestling with a devastating diagnosis for her little boy and becoming a thought-leader and advocating on a national level and building relationships throughout 2 administrations, in some of the most powerful offices in Washington.

She talks about how personal advocacy is – how she followed her heart even among opposition and some controversy. She focuses on unity, welcoming differing viewpoints, and selflessly advocating even when it doesn’t benefit her own son.

Laura is a breath of fresh air in our politically charged climate – she leads with hope and love and finding a path forward that unites rather than divides.