Goals! Everybody has them, but Patient Leaders seem to be some of the most goal-oriented people around.
We’re always so impressed with the goals our Patient Leaders set and achieve year after year. That’s why we were so egar to ask our Network what they hoped to accomplish in 2018. We know these Leaders have big shoes to fill, but they still knocked our socks off with their responses.
In January’s #WEGOHealthChat, we discussed how 2017 went in terms of advocacy and then finished off with sharing 2018 advocacy goals. We invite you to share your goals with us as well!
If you need some inspiration for your advocacy this year, take a few minutes to read the goals our Network has set out to accomplish this year! You can catch a preview below, but if you’d like the whole transcript (and you do!) you can read it here.
We also created this handy graphic to help keep you accountable for your 2018 goals. Fill in your goal, share it on social media and tag @WEGOHealth. We’ll help keep you on track with your goals over the next year!
Click the image to the left to download a copy of the graphic.
Q1. What was your biggest accomplishment of 2017? When you started in 2017 was this the goal that you had in mind? #WEGOHealthChat
A1 – My biggest accomplishment was being able to grow my network with other patient leaders thanks to the WEGO Health Awards. While we all may advocate for different reasons, the ideas, thoughts, struggles, etc. are all the same. #WEGOhealthchat
— Must Stop MS! (@MustStopMS) January 9, 2018
A1: being on @patientslikeme team of Advisors for the year! It was amazing. Also found @wegohealth and #WTFix has become near and dear to me also. Blogging too! #wegohealthchat
— AutonomicRN (@AutonomicRN) January 9, 2018
A1 We started Central Pain Nerve Center, and jumped heavily into twitter. WOW! Things started happening! Now we’re partnered with other great advocates and helping more patients. CHEERS TO 2017. #WEGOHealthChat
— Becky Brandt RN (@bbhomebody) January 9, 2018
A1: My goal for 2017 was to try to share my story more. I’m grateful I was able to share my story a little more in 2017. If in any way helped ppl and raised some awareness great! That’s my ultimate goal for all years 😉 #WEGOHealthChat
— Angela Cohen (@angelee828) January 9, 2018
Q2. What are some ways that we can work together, across condition areas, to accomplish bigger and better goals this year?
A2: Like someone stated these chats help. Let’s document and share our struggles and successes. The documenting helps us along the journey and look back where we came from while inspiring others that maybe starting theirs. Collaboration is key. #WEGOHealthChat
— Anthony Leon (@anthonynotleon) January 9, 2018
A2 These regular chats and groups on Facebook are excellent for learning more and brainstorming with each other. #wegohealthchat
— Deeanne (@spondywolfgirl) January 9, 2018
A2 By collaborating with others we can actually learn more together & achive monumental goals✨ #WEGOHealthChat https://t.co/ye4CWxiqqE
— Lisa Davis Budzinski (@lisadbudzinski) January 9, 2018
Q3. Learning from other Patient Leaders is a wonderful way to build your own advocacy brand. Tag someone in your community who truly made an impact in 2017. What is one thing you learned from this person, that helped you become stronger as a Patient Leader? #WEGOHealthChat
A3 I’ve been really inspired by @RareCandace this year – you’re so driven and I KNOW you’re going to make such a huge impact in the coming years. I can’t wait to watch #WEGOHealthChat
— Julie Cerrone Croner (@justagoodlife) January 9, 2018
A3: Definitely @imstilljosh! He did a workshop at a conference on how to improve your advocacy videos. It was so awesome and I incorporated some of his tips. #WegohealthChat #Chroniclife https://t.co/JRKQoX6YTD
— BeingMeInMyOwnSkin (@AlishaMBridges) January 9, 2018
A3 other amazing advocates who inspire me are those who remind me to not take this so seriously 100% of time such as @MrEscombe – finding joy even in our advocacy work is important lesson #WEGOHealthChat
— Laura Kolaczkowski (@lkay54) January 9, 2018
Q4. When thinking about 2018, are there any big projects, conferences, or movements you’re really excited about? #WEGOHealthChat
A4 Rare Disease Week 2018 in DC. Patient engagement projects and Patient Online Gatherings. The skies the limit beyond that! #WEGOHealthChat
— Becky Brandt RN (@bbhomebody) January 9, 2018
A4: I will be talking to @LillyStairs tomorrow, so I am very excited about that. I’m hoping to write more and become more involved with my local #Mentalhealth working group. #WEGOHealthChat
— Rie Lopez, MPH (@RieOfLetters) January 9, 2018
A4: Headache on the Hill in February, writing several novels (fiction romance/suspense & non-fiction), networking with patients like myself by attending more conferences, & starting a #migraine/#clusterheadache support in my area that helps caregivers/patients #WEGOHealthChat https://t.co/FRpiAGweM7
— JP Summers (@ADVofSpoonieMom) January 9, 2018
Q5. Are there any hashtags you’ll follow/participate in that inspire you to achieve your goals? #WEGOHealthChat
A5 I love @hurtblogger‘s tag #chroniclife. So great for accomplishments &4 when things don’t go right.Perfect for advocating #wegohealthchat
— Deeanne (@spondywolfgirl) January 9, 2018
I’ve been using #RareNOTLess for my rare disease advocacy. A lot of times, we are left out of important debates. #wegohealthchat
— Candace (@RareCandace) January 9, 2018
A5. My favorite hashtags: #GenerationP #NERVEmber #iPainPOP #IHaveTheNerveToBeHeard #DoYouHveTheNerveToBeHeard #HopeIsTrue #CheerleaderOfHOPE #PatientsHavePower #BreakthroughCrew #iFightPain #FightPain #CanyoUheaRmE #iPain #iPainLiving #WEGOHealthChat https://t.co/gP0BfF2kV6
— CheerleaderOfHOPE *\O/* (@BarbyIngle) January 9, 2018
Q6. If you could pick one goal to accomplish in 2018, what would it be? #WEGOHealthChat
A6: Main goal is to use my #publichealth and #mentalhealth background to become a much better patient leader, especially for #ChronicPain patients. #WEGOHealthChat
— Rie Lopez, MPH (@RieOfLetters) January 9, 2018
A6: LEARN!Make a Difference. Specific- impact cardiac rehab awareness and utilization. Get patient engaged in changing primary care and get hired to harvest power of patient ideas. Create a culture of curiosity in health care BHAG- write a book. #wegohealthchat
— J Greg Merritt (@patientispard) January 9, 2018
A6: Will continue to try to stay sheltered/fed in ’18. IOW, make MONEY, honey. Signals are mixed, but positive, there. We’ll see … Stay tuned for my Patreon page, launching soon 😜😜😜 #WEGOHealthChat
— Casey Quinlan (@MightyCasey) January 9, 2018
You can join our #WEGOHealthChats on the second Tuesday of every month at 1pm ET. If you’re unfamiliar with how to participate in a Twitter chat, we created this handy-dandy guide to get you up to speed.
