Honoring Voices, Carrying Purpose
Advocating Through Loss:
How To Advocate In The Midst Of Grief
By Taylor Crisp, Spokane County Parent Coalition Advocate
Mike Raymond
They say time is a thief. It slips past us quietly, leaving no trace—just a blur of routines, obligations, and distractions. In today’s world, we race from task to task, glued to our screens, consumed by headlines that echo tragedy after tragedy. We rinse, we repeat. And before we know it, the day is gone.
Did you spend time with your loved ones today? Did you reach out to that friend you’ve been meaning to call? Did you pause long enough to feel the weight of your own life? This reflection isn’t just about time, it’s about advocacy. And it’s especially relevant now, as the disability community in Washington State mourns the loss of two extraordinary voices: Kyle Matheson and Mike Raymond. Without voices like theirs, policy change doesn’t happen. Without their courage, the path forward remains blocked. Their legacy is a reminder that advocacy is not just about policy, it’s about people.
Builders of Change
Kyle and Mike were more than advocates; they were architects of progress. I met them through S.A.I.L. (Self-Advocates in Leadership), a powerful group led by individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) across Washington State. Though they weren’t based in Spokane, their impact reached far beyond their zip codes.
Together, they launched the SHUT THEM DOWN Coalition, a movement dedicated to ending institutionalization and ensuring that people with IDD can live freely and fully in their communities. Their tireless work helped pass legislation that will ultimately close Rainier School once admissions reach zero—a monumental step toward justice and inclusion.
Grief and Purpose
Losing Kyle and Mike in the same month was a gut punch to our community. It reminded me that grief and advocacy often walk hand in hand. We don’t stop fighting when we’re hurting—we fight because we’re hurting. We fight to honor those who came before us.
Their lives taught me to stop waiting. To stop letting time slip away. To take risks, chase dreams, and live boldly. Apply for that job. Take that vacation. Hike until your voice echoes through the trees. Grieving doesn’t mean standing still. It means remembering what matters—and choosing to move forward with purpose.
Kyle Matheson
Grieving doesn’t mean standing still. It means remembering what matters—and choosing to move forward with purpose.
Protect Your Energy
In a world that thrives on noise and negativity, it’s easy to burn out. Doomscrolling, overworking, and constant exposure to trauma can drain even the strongest among us. I’ve learned (and am still learning) to protect my mental space.
Stay informed, yes—but don’t let the world’s chaos consume you. Surround yourself with people who value you. Take care of your mind, your body, your spirit.
Because time is more precious than money. You can earn more dollars—but you’ll never earn back a lost moment.
Carry the Torch
Kyle and Mike may be gone, but their voices echo in every step we take toward justice. Their work lives on in every advocate who dares to speak up, every policy that shifts, every life that finds freedom.
So let’s carry their torch. Let’s live fully, love deeply, and advocate fiercely. Not just in their memory—but in honor of every person whose voice deserves to be heard.