Passing the Advocacy Torch

For many advocates—perhaps even for all advocates—there was someone who came before, someone who inspired them to do the work they do. This could be a public figure or icon, someone in their community, a family member, or a friend.

For Michael Denlinger II, community advocate and recently appointed Boundless board member, that person was his mother.

“One of my first memories [of advocacy] is of the library where I grew up in Cincinnati. It was not accessible to me. There were so many steps, and they were steep. My mom advocated with the city for many years over making the library accessible. She also advocated for sidewalks in my neighborhood,” Denlinger shared, proudly. “Without her showing me how to fight for myself and have a voice I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

Seeing his mother advocate for disability rights, Denlinger was given a strong example of the impact just one person can make on the lives of others and the world around them. He would soon discover that working with people and for people was the path he wanted for his own life.

“Advocacy has been a part of me my whole life, but I never considered it as a job or career until I was 21-years-old and joined the Cincinnati chapter for cerebral palsy,“ says Denlinger. “It’s not only changed my own life, but opened up a world to me that I really didn’t know about, as strange as that sounds. I didn’t know people did that for a job and didn’t learn about it until I was an adult. It opened up my world to something I could do to make a difference for so many other people and make their lives better.”

Learning Advocacy from Others

Advocacy builds a better future for generations to come, and part of that is training up the next generation of advocates. Denlinger grew up seeing strong examples of advocacy in his life, yet there was still so much to learn when it came to playing an active role as a voice in his local community.

Denlinger reveals how he made a special connection during his time at the Cincinnati chapter for cerebral palsy.

“I met an advocate there, Debbie Dase, and she taught me advocacy from an adult standpoint and how it can be both a passion and a career. I became Debbie’s apprentice,” Denlinger said.

This relationship had a huge impression on him. Not only did Dase become Denlinger’s mentor, but he is now passing along his wisdom to the next generation through Dase’s grandson, Dakota.

“There are so many people you get to know and meet and form lasting friendships with. It is amazing and gratifying because you get to open up that world for someone else who might become an advocate as well, a passing of the torch,” he says. “I’m doing that right now with Debbie’s grandson.”

Denlinger’s relationship with Dakota proves that inspiration comes from those before us and from witnessing the success and willpower of the generation following in our footsteps.

“[Dakota] has autism and has struggled his whole life but he has persevered and proven the doctors wrong at every turn. I’m honored to be a part of his life, he inspires me every day,” Denlinger said.

A Team Effort

As a “people-person” Denlinger shares the importance of connecting with and building upon the strengths of others.

“Advocacy has always been a team effort, you are only as good as the people you work with and the people with which you surround yourself,” he explains. “I’ve been very fortunate to have some wonderful people in my life.”

When asked what he hoped to accomplish during his time on the Boundless board of trustees, he responded with humble optimism. “All I can really hope is at the end of my time at Boundless I’ve made things better for people with disabilities, and if I’m really lucky there will be one or two individuals whose lives I've touched in a personal way.”

Denlinger has advice for others about advocating and getting involved in their community.

“There are many things you can do! You can always link up with the local DD board, they always have ideas to integrate with the community and you can also reach out to friends in the community. You never know what’s out there until you ask. If you never ask or make people aware of what you need, they will never know to help you so don’t be afraid to say I need help with this,” Denlinger said.

"That’s a lesson we can all learn, disability or no disability, to ask for help. That alone makes the world a better place helping each other."