Empowered Advocates of All Ages Share Their Stories at the Advocacy Summit

Anna and Graci Diggs are on their way home. And they feel pretty good.

Anna and Graci are from Tipton, Missouri, and, along with 388 other people from all parts of the country, they traveled to Washington, D.C., March 14-15, for theArthritis Foundation’s Advocacy Summit.

“We came to Advocacy Summit because we are dealing with some issues with my daughter’s arthritis that can be changed here at the Capital,” said Anna. “So we feel it’s important that our voices be heard. Hopefully we can make a difference.”

Graci is 10-years-old and hasjuvenile polyarticular arthritis.

The two-day event started on Monday with welcome remarks by Ann Palmer, president and CEO of the Arthritis Foundation, who was followed by Sandie Preiss, vice president of Advocacy & Access, who introduced attendees to the advocacy program and key issues that would be discussed. Christopher Kush, CEO of the political consulting group, Soapbox, walked guests through a lively do’s and don’ts of communicating with legislators.

当天下午，我们参加了各种教育研讨会，从如何利用社交媒体进行宣传，到讨论全国严重缺乏儿科风湿病医生、军方和国防部相关资金以及国会关节炎核心小组等问题。

The highlight of the day was the Honoring Our Advocacy Champions Awards Dinner, sponsored byPfizer. Hannah Robison, 2015 Miss Tennessee, entertained the crowd with a striking piano performance and later received the Emerging Leader in Advocacy Award. Mason Merager also received an Emerging Leader in Advocacy Award and spoke about the importance of using your voice to increase awareness. Angela Young received the Edward M. Kennedy Advocacy Award and was surprised by a letter from Representative Andy Barr (R-KY-6) commending her work as an advocate. Representatives Joe Courtney (D-CT-2) and Chris Collins (R-NY-27) received the Arthritis Foundation Advocacy Leadership Award for co-introducing and championing H.R. 1859, Ensuring Children’s Access to Specialty Care Act of 2015, that will address the shortage of pediatric rheumatologists by creating a student loan forgiveness program. The evening concluded with recognition of 28 Platinum Ambassadors for their outstanding work in advocating for people living with arthritis.

On Tuesday, the atmosphere was electric as Summit attendees were excitedly preparing themselves to meet with members of Congress and deliver 1,800 letters to legislators that were received through the Virtual Summit. More than 225 meetings were scheduled throughout the day.

这是格雷西和安娜第一次参加倡导峰会并与国会会面。来自密苏里州哥伦比亚的珍妮特和凯恩·奥布莱恩以及他们的女儿Kyleigh也加入了他们的行列。Kyleigh今年10岁，患有幼年类风湿性关节炎。

奥布莱恩和迪格斯的家人会见了参议员克莱尔·麦卡斯基尔(民主党-42)和参议员罗伊·布朗特(共和党-7)以及参议员维姬·哈茨勒(共和党-4)办公室的代表。在访问期间，他们分享了自己的关节炎故事，并要求国会议员支持1859号决议，为关节炎项目和研究设立一个2000万美元的国防部专项基金，如果他们还不是国会关节炎核心小组的成员，可以加入该小组。

Now that the Summit is over, Anna and Graci are making the long trek home and strategizing for their next advocacy adventure.

“I’m pumped,” said Anna. “I’m so ready to go home and share my story with anyone who will listen. I’m even more excited to see my state legislators and tell them that we’re not just a one-stop-wonder here – that we’re going to keep on telling our story until they hear us loud and clear!”

You can make sure that your story is heard loud and clear too. And, by doing so, you’ll be helping the 50 million American adults and 300,000 kids who have arthritis. Join the Arthritis Foundation’s Advocate program today!

Related Resources:

• Nearly 400 Advocates Arrive in D.C. for 2016 Arthritis Foundation Advocacy Summit
• Finding Their Voices: Advocates Prepare for Meetings on the Hill
• Go, Go, Go Graci! Graci Diggs Named 2015 National Youth Honoree for Jingle Bell Run/Walk