Sitting in the Library of Congress, I paused to soak in the celebration of so many authors who made lasting marks with their written words. My favorite quote of the day inscribed on the wall high above a window read, “Words are also actions and actions are a kind of words.” Today, my words have led to action. In August of 2012, I visited Washington, DC. I toured the Botanical Gardens and struck up a conversation with a Washington policeman who told me of his lengthy career on the force.
As he handed me an US Capital Police patch, he offered me a special treat: a tour of the Capital building and to arrange a flag to be flown over the Capital in my name. I declined, saying, “I’d rather have a flag flown over the Capital to honor those with Alzheimer’s Disease, because of what we’ve encountered by caring for my mother, my mission is to raise awareness for the sake of other families facing this long, sad journey.” Little did I know that twenty months later, I would storm the Capital with 850 other passionate AD advocates to rally support for families with AD. By writing my blog, along with various articles and keeping up with local resources for networking, my words got me to Washington as an advocate. My prayer for this trip was for God to protect my travels, put me where He could use me, and to show me favor. He came through on all requests.
Surprisingly, as I stepped off the shuttle bus in front of Capital Hill, this policeman happened to pass by. I called to him, got a big hug, and told him I’d come back, wearing my purple banner with so many other “flag” bearers to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. I doubt if he remembered me but I certainly knew him. Prophecy fulfilled!
This wasn’t the first “coincidence” I experienced on this trip. Starting with the plane ride from Houston to D.C., I found a fellow Forum traveler across the aisle from me.
Once I arrived at the Renaissance Hotel, I went into the Grand Ballroom, amidst a sea of 850 plus people wearing purple. I looked for a table to sit at for the day. I randomly chose one, briefly said my introductions and sat down. Next person to sit down was an outspoken fellow, familiar with the group I’d chosen and declared,” I guess you’ll have to sit with an Alabamian!” 
Not only was he an advocate from Alabama but writes for the newspaper as well – Mark McCarter. These are the people I would later visit two Senators with! Again, proximity! Next day, I attempted to meet a Memory People Facebook friend. I stood before the huge crowd in the doorway, with the phone to my ear, talking to my never before seen “friend”, trying to tell her my location. Turned out, I happened to be standing right by her table! She said she’d been trying to hook up with another Memory People friend who, lo and behold, I discovered was in my group, so I led her to connect with our new “friend”.
As the day of training wore in, I went to the lady’s room to freshen up. As I stood in front of the sink, washing my hands, I noticed by her name tag that the lady next to me was from Las Vegas. I remarked that my son’s girlfriends’ father lived in Las Vegas and told her his name. “Oh, I know him, he is a wonderful person,” she declared. Can anybody say, “It’s a small world?”
To give even too much information, as I prepared myself for the special National dinner by arranging my hair, I asked God to help me make my unwieldy mane look good. Once ready, I walked the three blocks to the hotel in the early evening air, knowing my efforts would be blown away before my entrance to the reception. The first person I encountered was a woman from my group who commented, “Your hair looks nice.” The only hair comment I got all trip. I had to thank my Lord for watching out for me in the crowd of people, letting me know He was with and for me. 
The “Hill Day” gave us opportunity to navigate Washington like never before. We had to wait in a line to pass through security to get into the Russell Senate Office Building to visit our senators. We had a great interview with Jeff Sessions’ staff, who took notes as we told our tale of woe, giving her the lowdown of the high costs of care, the high rate of incidence coupled with the low amount of money given for research. Our meeting was followed by our Alabama Alzheimer Association Director, Kevin Burke, who had an impromptu meeting with Sessions in the hall and speaking to him directly. Kevin later told us, “that is how it’s done in Washington.” Senator Sessions response was positive toward our cause.
Next visit was with Senator Richard Shelby, who we met in the hall and had a photo op with after our meeting with his staff. He told us of a dear friend of his wife, a very smart man who had succumbed to the ravages of AD. He gave us his appreciation of our efforts and his support of the upcoming bills we were promoting.
As I strolled toward the Rayburn House to find Rep. Bradley Byrne’s office, David, head of the Ambassador Program for the Alz Assoc. stood beside me as we waited to walk across the street. Seeing the long line, he said to me, “Come on, I’ll show you another, little known entrance.” So we strolled right in with no waiting through the “horseshoe entrance” which was lined with blooming cherry trees.
After seeing Rep. Byrne leave his office and not return by our appointment time, I knew we wouldn’t be talking directly to him after all. We met with a staffer and accomplished our purpose. As we walked to the elevator, Rep. Byrne stepped out in front of us. I immediately hung up on the person I was speaking with on the phone, slide the phone in my pocket and extended my hand, saying, “I’m Beth Reinert from Mobile. Congratulations on your recent election…” He listened to our story. He gave us his support. Another mission accomplished with photos to boot.
Next, I went with Peter Cowley, Assoc. Director of our AL/FL Panhandle Alz. Assoc and Dr. Rodney Guttman, Alz Researcher at the University of West FL, to speak with Rep. Jeff Miller from Florida. I got to listen to the good doctor argue for the cause of AD. To think how difficult it’s been to find a doctor who was familiar with AD, and this trip allowed us several meals together, giving me plenty of time to talk to him and have my questions answered.
Satisfied that all had gone well, I sat in the Reagan National Airport, ready to board my flight home, when I saw a familiar face in the crowd. After so much practice today, without hesitation I walked over to him and extended my hand saying, “You look like the mayor of my city.” Indeed, he was our own newly elected Sandy Stimpson who I would learn had also met with the same men I had but for other matters. I told him about the upcoming 2014 Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Daphne and in Mobile in 2015. It was a comfort to have Mayor Stimpson nearby for the ride home and yes, I got a selfie to add to my other photo memories of such a great trip!
The trip was as I had hoped and better than I expected. I am thankful to be in this position to speak for the voiceless and to raise awareness of the destruction of Alzheimer’s disease. Please join me in the fight for better care and support, more research funding and promotion of brain health. We can all benefit from that.
“If God is for us, who can be against us.” (Romans 8:31 NAS).
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