I went to Washington D.C. for Fragile X Advocacy Day- It was wonderful. We made a difference, and I will go again. Promise.
I left late-getting in one more day of work... not the best plan as I was SOOOO excited and could barely focus on work, work, work/think, think, think/plan, plan, plan what with all the last minute details and 'what will I say' 'what's she
really like' and 'did I pack my deodorant?' flying around in my head.
I met lots and lots of people. Cool people. People who know FX. People who like boots :-) People who have lived inside my FB and listserv world, who I, really & truly (and a bit embarrassingly) know a whole awful lot about- even though I had never heard their voice or hugged them, or grabbed their elbow (something I do??uh-huh).
I met so many amazing congressional Aides... and some pretty cool elected officials as well. I cried... the first visit all I said was "I'm Amy, Abe's mom"... and then tears, and head shaking as I tried to make them stop but couldn't - so I just sat back and tried not to hiccup too loudly while the 5 other advocates expressed our wants and needs and hopes for the future.
Pardon the fuzzy pics... didn't want to lug a big camera around.
Meeting number 2- I spoke... don't know what I said, hope they could understand as I had a lump the size of China in my throat... I think I mentioned that Abe is 7 and loves to splash in the water and eat cheese nips.
Meeting number 3- jumped in feet first, found my ovaries of steel ( or platinum-
bling bling) and spoke and smiled and laughed as we held our meeting in a caged supply closet- formally known as 'the board room'.
By the time meeting number 8 rolled around- just Dr. EBK and I- we were seasoned vets- covered all points, laughed and joked, agreed to disagree with my representative's plan regarding appropriations, and established a good relationship that will, hopefully, yield fruit for years to come.
Someday I hope that Bj, Bo and Aurelia can go with me to advocate.
and If Abe went... that'd be a whole lot of truth in those offices :-)
I can't tell you how many times I had almost talked myself out of going... stress, work, anxiety about 50+ things that I can't change- but... I had made
resolutions and vows to myself that I wouldn't let 'what if' or 'eeeeeeek' hold me back... that I would go.
What have you promised? What have you vowed to do? Where will you go?
I can't wait to see your pictures.
