Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Awareness Month is observed in May, marking a concerted time to spread the word about the condition. People are encouraged to support the movement throughout the month by wearing red and engaging in conversations about ALS.

Dressing in a particular color is one way friends and relatives can show solidarity with those who have neurologic disorders. As explained in our feature “Anyone Can Become a Patient Advocate,” advocacy can take many other forms, including educating the public and lawmakers, raising money for research, and lobbying to change insurance coverage policies for diagnosis, treatment, and support services.

Very often, failures in our health care system trigger broader activism—as demonstrated by Ady Barkan, the subject of our cover story. After reading about Barkan, you'll understand why Politico has called him “the most powerful activist in America.” His diagnosis of ALS led to a successful collaboration with actor Bradley Whitford on health care reform and raising awareness of the disease. Barkan is fighting not only for his own life but also to help others overcome the barriers he has encountered. Being part of a larger movement has given Barkan purpose and community and the chance to make a difference, which he chronicles in the documentary Not Going Quietly (available on Amazon Prime).

Of course, readers like you also can become effective advocates. J. Andre Sampson, the author of our Speak Up essay, works with Circle of Rights, a nonprofit corporation in Maryland that provides opportunity, support, encouragement, and hope for those affected by stroke and related conditions. Sampson reveals why she has devoted her time to teaching people about the signs and symptoms of stroke and preventive measures they can take. Her advocacy earned her recognition from the American Heart Association as a “Stroke Hero.” Steve Grinstead, featured in Pictures of You, has set a goal of telling the world about his extremely rare condition, superficial siderosis. The more people who know about it, he says, the more people who will be diagnosed and the more lives that will be saved.

Caregivers and family members, such as parents of children who cannot advocate for themselves, often become advocates by necessity. In our Caregiving story, “How Older Caregivers Secure the Future for Dependent Adult Children,” you will hear from parents who are preparing their dependent adult children for a future when the parents are no longer around.

“Orthostatic Tremor Awareness Can Lead to Better Diagnoses,” our article about orthostatic tremor, brings us yet another advocate, Ruth Hochheiser, who has dedicated herself to raising awareness about the disorder so that patients and physicians might recognize it. She has reached out to the National Organization for Rare Disorders, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, and the American Medical Association. “We need more doctors to know about this disease, we need accurate diagnosis, and we need funds for research,” she says.

To become more involved, you may want to participate in one of the initiatives of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Advocacy Action Center. As president of the AAN, I advocate on behalf of all members and their patients, have written to legislators and members of regulatory bodies, spearheaded campaigns to effect change, met with leaders of other organizations to amplify our voice, and used social media to raise awareness of neurologic disease. You too can take an active role by following the AAN's campaigns and contacting your legislators or offering your input regarding the Academy's policy priorities.

Each of you is likely already an advocate in one way or another. But if you want to learn more, visit the “Become a Neurology Advocate” page for links to help you contact your members of Congress and search for patient advocacy organizations. If you have advocated in small or large ways, we would love to hear your story. Please share it with us at BrainandLife@WoltersKluwer.com.

Orly Avitzur, MD, MBA, FAAN, Editor-in-Chief