On May 7th, Sam and I attended a JDRF meeting with Senator Schumer to thank him for co-sponsoring the bill to renew the special diabetes project. Sam brought a bag of dinosaur parts and played quietly while we waited for the meeting. Earlier, I had told him that I was going to a meeting about getting more scientists to do research for better pumps and find improvements for people with diabetes. Sam wants to be an inventor so this was understandable to him. I told him he could come with me if he wanted. He asked me what I thought he should say at the meeting. I said, "Why don't you just say I am Sam and I am five years old" to which he replied, "Mom, that has nothing to do with diabetes."
We assembled around a small conference table. Sam sat on my lap holding his flying dinosaur creation. Senator Schumer kicked off the meeting by sharing a story about a family friend whose daughter was diagnosed as a teen. We then went around the room and when it was our turn I introduced myself and Sam. Unprovoked, Sam lifted up his shirt and showed the group his pump. "My pump is really important. The snap hurts though, but I am brave about it."
Afterwards, I took the newly minted advocate on a tour of grand central station and for dinner at the Oyster Bar - just the two of us. It was a pretty awesome Friday night.
