President's Message: April 2025

Published in the April 2025 issue of the ISHA Voice.

“The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena.”

-Theodore Roosevelt

The line from the Man in the Arena quote from Teddy Roosevelt reminds me that there is honor in the effort. As professionals and as people we must choose where to put that effort. Where do we look to earn that credit?

I am reflecting right now on the tremendous credit that goes to our member leaders who are doing tough advocacy work. The members of our Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Committee along with association leaders have been diligently reviewing proposed legislation at the state level, communicating routinely with national leaders, and having thoughtful discussions on where our efforts can best be utilized. Those individuals are putting their efforts into supporting policies that are consistent with the mission of our state association and in the best interests of those we serve.

One specific piece of state legislation that efforts have been focused on is Illinois Senate Bill 40, legislation that would amend the Illinois Insurance Code to provide coverage for habilitative speech-language therapy services for stuttering. A recent hearing on the bill included testimony from numerous individuals to speak on behalf of the value of the skilled speech-language services that should be covered by insurance. As an association, we envision a world in which all people communicate effectively. The efforts of our members to support this piece of legislation put their efforts into pursuit of that vision.

The Man in the Arena quote in its entirety speaks to the theme of credit for the effort but expectation of failure. When we try, we often fail. Learning to keep trying through failure is an essential element to advocacy. One thing I have learned in my time on the ISHA Executive Board is that success in legislation or rule changes is often accomplished in stages. There are efforts that fail, sometimes repeatedly. But often the failures still lead to progress. The discussions become the foundation for future efforts. Sometimes advocacy achievements are failed by delay. The idea is right, but the timing may not be right. As advocates, we are asked to sustain the effort. We stay in the arena. I am so grateful to such wonderful member advocates who take these words to heart and sustain their efforts for the betterment of all of us.

There are also ways for you to get involved in advocacy efforts. Check out the latest ISHA news on our website. Recently there was a post regarding the opportunity to submit a witness slip to support the state stuttering bill. Consider joining an ISHA committee. Many of our committees are involved in advocacy work. Finally, contact us with your own ideas for needed advocacy in the profession. We are all better off when more of us are in the arena together. There is strength in our numbers and our collective voice.

- Valerie Boyer, President