I can't decide between the gray jumper with the white blouse or the peach blouse...

maybe I will just wear the black slacks with the white shirt and the RED blazer...forget the dress...

Here's a quick synopsis of the week's events:

I arrived Monday late afternoon. Greta arrived that evening. Tuesday morning we took off for Capitol hill and saw the sights. The weather was perfect and we took advantage of it. Went through the National Arborteum, National Air & Space, and the WWII Memorial (later in the week I also visited the Library of Congress and strolled the White House!)

Tuesday was initial meeting with all the delegates from the NMSS and all the chapters. Met with our division/chapter and got our packets.

Wednesday the conference started with keynote speakers and a short briefing on Gov't Relations 101 (what to do and how to say it!). Then we had a short course on the issues, lunch and a prep session on how to talk to your legislators. That led to lots of homework when we got back to hotel rooms!!! Bio's, background, putting together the packets, etc.

Thursday was spent on Capitol Hill. Of course, it was raining, and very humid! Lots of walking, walking, and more walking!



Met with all four of my state's legislators and educated them on the issues at hand for MS and disabilities. Explained the process for applying, approval, and the lengthy waiting process for SSDI and Medicare for people under the age of 65. They were all unaware of the process as well as the lengthy waiting period.

They were unaware of the Congressional Bi-partisan MS Caucus co-sponsored by Congressmen Carnahan and Burgess and Senators Dorgan and Hatch.

The big ticket item is the CDRMP - Congressionally Directed Reseach Medical Program. This year, the MS Society is asking for $15m of the over $125m specifically be directed for MS Research. The reasoning is that so many of the Gulf War Vets are being dx'd with MS. The stats are high and research $$ are needed to find out why. That's not the only reason but the CDRMP is a line item in the DoD budget.

There's a lot of support but a lot of resistance as well.

I also got a special treat. I had the pleasure of meeting and spending the day with Mrs. Eastern Montana. She has MS and was the Montana delegate. We paired up together as our appts were close in time and in the same buildings. That turned out to be a good opportunity as we ended being escorted through the underground tram from the Senate to the House Chamber (this is for "members" only) and were able to walk right through the middle of the White House!!! Then we were escorted back to the Senate for our next appt! Talk about cool! Never been through the underground tunnel system.

All in all, it was a great experience. There are some very good people working for MS Awareness and the cause. I was very glad that I went and met some of these very special people.

Russ Carnahan was awarded the 2007 MS Society Representative of the year for furthering MS Awareness. He has done a lot to help. So those of you from Missouri, please take the opportunity to thank him. http://www.nationalmssociety.org/new...x.aspx?nid=224

Senator Durbin received the 2007 Senator of the Year award. He is from Illinois. http://www.nationalmssociety.org/new...x.aspx?nid=230

Governor Rendell of Pennsylvania received the 2007 Governor of the year award. He created an Office of Health Care Reform as well as the Chronic Care Management, Reimbursement and Cost Reduction Commission.

Overall is it was a great learning experience and I hope to go again next year!

Welcome home, Cheryl, and THANK YOU!

Kewl! Glad you had a great time! (shoving bail money back under couch)

Thank you Cheryl for everything you have done! Glad you had a great trip now it is time for you to relax a bit....

Welcome back Cheryl! Thank you and God bless you for what you've done!

You ALL are most welcome.

I must add a tiny little PS -

Some of you may remember Doug Franklin from the MSAA and his wonderful (I am being facetious) testimony in front of the FDA during the Tysabri hearings. He sat next to me and was very curious about my testimony, my experience, was very friendly, and then stood up and testified about how cognitively challenged PwMS are to the point of not being able to comprehend the Consent Forms and understanding the concept of death, in other words MSAA was against Tysabri.

He was at this conference. Greta was sitting next to me when he was introduced as part of the Board for this conference. She made me promise I would not say anything to him or approach him.

Well, Greta I kept my promise. But...during the breakfast the following morning he approached me and his comment was that I looked familiar and he was trying to figure out where he knew me from. I reminded him that he sat next to me at the Tysabri hearings and he said oh yes now I remember and went on to tell me about the latest negative news about Tysabri. I cut him off, told him I was in a clinical trial for Tovaxin and walked away.

He has not changed. But I kept positive and chose not to engage him in any sort of confrontational manner in public.

So, Greta, you can be proud of me.

I am wondering if he has changed his position. But from his comments I gathered that he (maybe personally, and not the MSAA) is still not pro-Tysabri.

I guess that's more than a little PS, but thought I would share that with those of you who remember the incident in 2006. Many wrote letters to the MSAA because of Mr. Franklin's testimony.

I plan to do a little more investigating ... but thought I would share that with you. MSAA is a good orgranization. They've done a lot of good for PwMS and have helped the cause and are helping now.

Oh....I almost needed the bail money then?

No, Twappy, you were never in jeopardy of losing those hard earned $$...you need them for lunch!

Good, cause I am off to Costco and I have just enough for a dog and soda!
(covering dogs ears)
(guess I should buy some other stuff too, huh?)