Susan Parziale was recently nominated by Sen. Brendan Crighton to attend the Citizens’ Legislature Seminar, a two-day program the Massachusetts legislature runs twice a year to foster education into the process of drafting and passing laws. It’s essentially an in-depth, in-person version of Schoolhouse Rock’s “I’m Just a Bill,” which was, according to Parziale, referenced multiple times by lawmakers during the program.
Parziale has historically been more focused on the fundraising side of autism awareness, but with the skills and confidence gained by participating in the seminar, she hopes to become an advocate for better policy from the state legislature and even the federal government.
Parziale has an adult daughter with profound autism and is the senior administrative specialist at the Profound Autism Alliance, an advocacy organization focusing on improving “the health and connection of autistic people who require lifetime, around-the-clock care through inclusive research and focused advocacy that will result in meaningful services and supports.”
She encourages citizens to engage with government and government officials.
“They really want to hear from their constituents,” she said. “They need to hear you. You can’t just complain to family and friends.”
She also pointed out that their staff work through hundreds of emails per week, but they really do read those emails. She said it may take a few days for them to get back to you, but added, “If you can’t pop in, send an email. Somebody will get back to you.”
She went on to say that they want to hear their constituents stories and often dive deeper into issues than she expected.
Parziale said, “While fundraising has always been one of my strengths, I’m now focused on strengthening my advocacy work. Participating in the Massachusetts Family Leadership Program and the Citizen’s Legislative Seminar gave me the confidence to start engaging directly with senators and representatives here in Massachusetts — and hopefully soon in Washington!”
