You will also know a great deal and be able to figure out if the mediator or lawyer is competent and knowledgeable about disability issues. You cannot assume that the Domestic Relations lawyer that you used for your divorce, for instance, also understands how Special Education law works or that an appointed mediator, for instance, knows what a Personal Assistance Services caregiver is. Like all professionals you will be involved with, they are paid for their expertise and services and it is you who hires or consults them . Again, trust your intuition and observations. I'll get back to you when I decide what to do.
Anecdotes are stories to make a point.
They are used to give examples. People remember anecdotes. For example, if you want to complain about unresponsiveness or insensitivity of the school system to your child, you could talk about your child's IEP goals and explain how they are not being implemented. He can't talk. He uses sign language and a machine which talks for him when he pushes buttons.