The Darlene D. Thompson Personal Advocacy Institute™
Personal Advocacy Articles
Practical education for understanding, preparing, asking questions, and participating when something important is happening.
Every article begins with a recognizable real-life situation, then offers useful educational guidance and a way to continue learning.
Start with a real-life situation
Explore Personal Advocacy Articles
Choose a situation that sounds familiar. Each article introduces practical personal-advocacy steps without requiring a purchase.
You Were Just Told You Have Cancer. What Do You Do First?
An important diagnosis can bring many questions at once. Begin by establishing what you know and what needs attention.
Read this article →Your Cancer Appointment Is Coming. But Are You Ready to Participate?
Preparation can help you take a more active role in an important upcoming appointment.
Read this article →Cancer, Appointments, Test Results—and Too Little Information
Recognize missing information and identify what you need explained more clearly.
Read this article →Your Health Problem: What If You Don’t Even Know What Questions to Ask?
Learn where to begin when the conversation matters but your questions are not yet clear.
Read this article →Discover by capability
Browse Articles by Topic
Find articles related to the personal-advocacy skills you want to develop. Each topic opens its own growing article collection.
- Advancing Your Efforts
- Communication & Questions
- Decisions & Choices
- Getting Oriented
- Getting Prepared
- Learning From Experience
- Supported Advocacy
- Understanding Information
- Unfinished Matters
More Personal Advocacy Articles
As the library grows, new articles will appear here automatically. The featured four above remain easy to find.
Additional articles will appear here as they are published.
Continue Learning Through DTPAI
Articles help you recognize a situation. These free pathways help you practice the capabilities behind it.
DTPAI™ provides general personal-advocacy education. Articles and learning resources do not replace advice or services from qualified professionals.


