Children's Congress!!!

This summer I had the AMAZING opportunity to go to Washington, D.C. and meet with our state's Congressmen and their staff. 5 other NJ delegates and I shared our stories with our Congressmen and asked them to continue funding for a cure. I even had the chance to personally shake hands with our Vice President; Joe Biden!!! I have to say, Children's Congress was truly amazing... To wake up in the morning knowing that there was 160 other Type One Diabetics that were going to breakfast with measuring cups, their blood sugar meter, juice boxes, insulin, and all of the other necessary things needed to keep themselves alive. - It made me feel like I was just any other kid. 

Children's Congress was also very inspiring; not only for me but for all 161 delegates from across the U.S. and around the world. There were also many great Celebrity Role-Models who are Type One Diabetics as well. The list includes Mary Mouser (an actress who starred in Frienemies!), Charlie Kimball (Indiana 500 Race-car Driver), Sam Talbot (Chef who works with the Food Network), and many more! Even NBA Star Ray Allen appeared in honor of his son, Walker Allen, who is a T1D as well. Many delegates (including ME!! :), had the chance to ask some of these role-models questions about how they manage their T1D while pursuing their dreams at the same time. It made me realize that I can do anything I want, even though my T1D makes things really difficult for me. 

Even though the government is funding research for T1D now, in September of 2014 funding for the Special Diabetes Program will expire!!! The SDP is one of the main programs funding research for a cure, contributing $150 million each year it is renewed. If funding for this program stops, every project focused on finding a cure stops.  Research that helps me, and millions of other Type One Diabetics not have to prick our fingers, check our blood-sugars, get shots of insulin, and all of the other difficult things that come with being a Type One Diabetic. That’s why we all of us delegates went to D.C. this summer to continue the funding!!!!! :-)

Overall,  I have to say...

Children's Congress was an AMAZING once-in-a-lifetime experience! :-)

I made so many life-long friends and also made so many amazing memories.

Children's Congress was so much fun, I made so many friends, and I really hope that we all made a difference!

Let's help turn Type One into Type NONE!

-Rachel :-) <3