They are on their way to Washington. Seems that letters went out to the many of 150 children who were chosen as delegtes for the JDRF Children’s Congress. When I was part of the program we called it the ‘Run Up the Hill’, a great choice on the name now used.
The testimony and the few days from July 8th to July 10th spent in our Nation’s Capitol will probably be remembered by these kids for the rest of their lives. They have a job to do and they will do it well. They will move lives to move mountains. Nothing is more powerful than hearing directly from children what they life through everyday with diabetes. The agenda will be set and it will be followed.
There was a record number of applicants this year according to the Children’s Congress website. There needs to be a limit on how many kids can convene in the halls of Congress and the kids will be well furnished with what they need and will be guided by the JDRF on what can be distributed to the members of Congress. But it is their voices and their stories that will have the biggest impact.
That said, if you would like to do something and be involved in meeting your congressman either in your hometown or in DC; perhaps everyone can take a page from Elizabeth Gar McCrary who is creating a book of faces and stories to take with her to share with our nation’s elected leaders when she goes to meet with her congressperson. What a FABULOUS idea. Magnificent. (JDRF Government Day is set for March 18-19)
The American Diabetes Association will also hold their Call to Congress from March 5th-March 7th this year as well. Their message will be to ‘Stop Diabetes’ and surely that is a message that needs to be delivered loud and clear.
Here is the ADA Information about their call to congress. The ADA will also train people and let them know exactly how to the biggest impact with the leaders they will be meeting.
Seems to me that our elected officials need to hear the stories about diabetes and they need to hear it many times. Find out if you can be part of and join in these incredible initiatives meeting with our congressional leaders and testifying before congress.
Find out if your congressional leader is part of the diabetes caucus. I was part of the team that worked to create this in 1995 with the result occurring the following year. It became the largest caucus on Capitol Hill. If your Congressperson is not part, ask them to join it because it is THAT important.
There is strength in numbers and a unified voice is one that cannot be shut out or silenced; call these organizations and find out what you can do ‘On the Hill; or even at home if all the slots are filled.
Say nothing and nothing will surely get done.
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