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<\/a><\/p>\nAs he handed me an US Capital Police patch, he offered me a special treat: \u00a0a tour of the Capital building and to arrange a flag to be flown over the Capital in my name. \u00a0I 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.” \u00a0 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. \u00a0By 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. \u00a0He came through on all requests.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Surprisingly, as I stepped off the shuttle bus in front of Capital Hill, this policeman happened to pass by. \u00a0I 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. \u00a0I doubt if he remembered me but I certainly knew him. Prophecy fulfilled!<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u00a0 Once I arrived at the Renaissance Hotel, I went into the Grand Ballroom, amidst a sea of 850 plus people wearing purple. \u00a0I looked for a table to sit at for the day. \u00a0I randomly chose one, briefly said my introductions and sat down. \u00a0Next 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!”\u00a0 Not only was he an advocate from Alabama but writes for the newspaper as well – Mark McCarter. \u00a0These are the people I would later visit two Senators with! \u00a0Again, proximity! \u00a0Next day, I attempted to meet a Memory People Facebook friend. \u00a0I 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! \u00a0She said she’d been trying to hook up with another Memory People friend who, lo and behold, \u00a0I discovered was in my group, so I led her to connect with our new “friend”.<\/p>\n As the day of training wore in, I went to the lady’s room to freshen up. \u00a0As 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. \u00a0I remarked that my son’s girlfriends’ father lived in Las Vegas and told her his name. \u00a0“Oh, I know him, he is a wonderful person,” she declared. Can anybody say, “It’s a small world?”<\/p>\n 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. \u00a0Once 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. \u00a0The first person I encountered was a woman from my group who commented, “Your hair looks nice.” \u00a0The only hair comment I got all trip. \u00a0I had to thank my Lord for watching out for me in the crowd of people, letting me know He was with and \u00a0for me. The “Hill Day” gave us opportunity to navigate Washington like never before. \u00a0We 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. \u00a0Our 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. \u00a0Kevin later told us, “that is how it’s done in Washington.” Senator Sessions response was positive toward our cause.<\/p>\n 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. \u00a0He 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.<\/p>\n 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. \u00a0Seeing the long line, he said to me, “Come on, I’ll show you another, little known entrance.” \u00a0So we strolled right in with no waiting through the “horseshoe entrance” which was lined with blooming cherry trees.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a> <\/a>After seeing Rep. Byrne leave his office and not return by our appointment time, I knew we wouldn’t be talking directly to \u00a0him after all. \u00a0We met with a staffer and accomplished our purpose. \u00a0As we walked to the elevator, Rep. Byrne stepped out in front of us. \u00a0I 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. \u00a0Congratulations on your recent election…” He listened to our story. He gave us his support. \u00a0Another mission accomplished with photos to boot.<\/span><\/p>\n