You can have a voice when it comes to turning negative situations around. Here are some success stories from the British Institute of Human Rights (BHIR).
A woman fostered babies with learning disabilities. One of the babies died while in her care, so she was investigated. The ones she cared for were taken out of her custody, including a 30 year old, extremely autistic man, whom she'd been caring for since he was two. After five months separated from her, he became disoriented and ill from stress, and was admitted to a hospital. When he wouldn't let any doctors treat him, an advocate stepped in and appealed for his right to be with his original caretaker, who was like a mother to him. Upon closer investigation, there was really no issue of why he couldn't stay with her, and was returned to her care.
Another situation arose when an older man with dementia was placed in a ward where every patient's information card had a ‘do not resuscitate' order on their file. An advocate noticed this man's DNR was unsigned by a doctor, and soon learned that everyone on that ward is automatically given DNR status. The advocate questioned this, stating the man had enough capability and he could be given a choice. After bringing this to their attention, he was taken off the DNR category.
Another lady who worked at an airline security was suddenly fired because she did not pass the anti-terrorism clearance. She could not imagine why she would be considered a risk. An advocate for human rights helped her to demand a fair hearing. During the hearing it became clear there really wasn't sufficient reason for her to be fired, and she received compensation.
These are just a few of the cases where standing up and challenging issues has worked.