Advocate Spotlight: Dayna Davis
Interview by Nicholas Kaasa | The Arc Oregon
About Dayna
Dayna Davis is a passionate self-advocate for people experiencing disabilities. She lives in Eugene and is a founding member of the Oregon Self Advocacy Coalition (OSAC).
She is proud of the work she has done and the other advocates she has worked with. “I am excited to see the change and positive outcomes that our future advocacy will bring.”
At the beginning of our interview, Dayna shared “I am excited about this conversation because I want to tell the readers how I direct my ISP.”
What does your Individual Support Plan (ISP) mean to you?
“[My ISP] means that we talked about what I want. It is consumer-driven support.”
Dayna expressed concern that not everyone’s ISP planning meetings were driven by the person. This means that the person and their choices may not be at the center of planning. She mentioned several barriers to this, such as planning teams not taking the time to get to know the person and what they want.
She hopes that professionals can return to planning that centers the person, their life, and their choices. She wants to remind these professionals that it is about their clients. “Sometimes people need guidance to discover what they want.”
Dayna also mentioned the Oregon Needs Assessment (ONA), which can sometimes overtake some planning conversations. She shared that everyone who plans with her needs to know “that I am a person, and I do know what I need. It’s my life that we’re talking about.”
To Dayna, good support means being listened to and respected. She shared that in her life, good support goes beyond providing assistance. It also gives her a sense of belonging and connection, which she has found in her current natural supports. “I appreciate the deeper respect I experience with those who naturally support me; it’s like being a part of a family, and they listen to what I have to say.”
When asked if she thought that planning was important, Dayna shared “Oh, 100%. How can planning not be important? [Not planning] is like going to breakfast and having cereal without milk, you know?”
What advice do you have for people planning using the ISP?
“Think very long and express to the team, what do you want? What makes you excited and try to convey your hopes and your dreams to your team.”
At the same time, Dayna advises people that “if you mess up don’t be so hard on yourself.”
What advice do you have for other advocates?
“It won’t be easy as you start to advocate but once you start to advocate and ignore your nervous feelings about advocating [it gets easier]. When you continuously advocate, it will get easier. Trust me.”
Dayna encourages advocates to speak up for what they know is right and to stand firm. “Keep advocating.”
