CCA Blog

I had a great chance to do something really special last week.  We were asked to go to Washington DC to talk on Capitol Hill.  We went with the Immune Deficiency Foundation.  They set up meetings for us with Oregon senators.  We are going to talk to them about a bill that is in the House and the Senate about Medicare and IVIG.  IVIG is the medicine that I take.  With Medicare they don't cover everything so this bill should help with that.  We flew in to DC on Wednesday night to go to a meeting about what to say to the Senators.  It ran really late.  We had to get up really early the next morning.  Breakfast was at 7.  It was good.  We had bagels and fresh fruit.  It was nice to start the day that way.  We walked up to Capitol Hill for an official picture.  It was so sunny and nice.  We saw the fattest squirrels ever!   Once we took the picture, Mom and I decided to do some sightseeing since we did not have another meeting until 1pm with Senator Merkley and another at 2pm with Senator Wyden. 

My Mom and I walked the WHOLE MALL!  We started at the Hill and went all the way to Lincoln.  We stopped at the Smithsonians (at least some of them).  We also saw the Washington Monument (we called it “the pencil”), WWII Memorial, reflective pool, and then Lincoln.  It was AMAZING! Just as we were heading to the Vietnam Memorial we got a call that our 1pm meeting was moved up to noon.  It was just 10:20am so we needed to move.  We still wanted to go by the American History museum to see Julia Child's kitchen and Kermit the Frog.  We took a cab there and we were able to see all!  Ruby slippers too!  We saw a lot.  We then took a cab to the Senate building.  I think they call it Russell.  We met with a staff member of Senator Merkley.  It was a tough meeting but we made it through.  We went downstairs and saw the trolley that was taken to Capitol Hill by the Senators and Representatives when they need to vote.  It was very cool.  We went to the cafeteria for a bite to eat.  There was alot to decided from but I decided on just a hamburger and Jello. 

Next we went to see Senator Wyden.  He was busy in a meeting just down the hall and he could not leave it.  We watched him on TV.  It was cool.  We waited for a bit and then went downstairs again to get some thing to drink while we waited.  We went back upstairs and waited again.  It felt like a long time.  We were in the hallway because there was no room in his office.  There were about 20 people waiting for him.  When he came out of his meeting, followed by a group of people, he came straight to me.  It was amazing.  He was so tall!  I don't think I even came to his armpit!  He introduced himself to me and then asked me what he could do for me. I was so nervous.  I said "Give us money" and everyone laughed.  I got even more nervous.  We sat and talked to him for awhile.  I gave him a pin and a bracelet from the THINK ZEBRA campaign for the Immune Deficiency Foundation.  He pulled up his sleeve and put the bracelet on!  Then, he even put the pin on.  I couldn't believe it. 

Once we were done, we decided to walk to the National Archives to see the Declaration of Independence.  What we found was a HUGE line.  So, we went to our next stop and the best stop ever!!  We went to the International Spy Museum.  One of my favorite movies is Get Smart so I knew there were going to be some things in there from that movie or show.  I couldn't wait. My Mom had called ahead so they knew we were coming.  She called because she was not sure if we would be able to get there in time.  When we got there, we went up the elevator where we got to choose a spy identity.  As we were deciding that, this big guy came into us and bend over to talk to me (I was in a wheelchair due to all the walking I was really having a hard time breathing) and he said, "Olivia, we have a very important mission for you if you choose to take it."  I said “yes” so we went off with him.  We thought it was all part of the spy thing, but it wasn't!  We met Mr. Earnest who is the director of the museum.  He was in the CIA for 36 years.  He sat and talked with us for a while and gave us a goodie bag.  He was so cool!  They took us back into the museum area.  It was the coolest thing!  We had so much fun there.  We were there for over 2 and half hours but could have been longer. I was sad to leave.   

We got another Cab and went to the White House.  It was very busy there.  We took some pictures and walked around a bit then walked to McDonald's for dinner.  As we walked we saw the President’s motorcade.  It was so cool!  We got some burgers and back in the cab again.  As we got to the light, we saw White House Correspondent Major Garrett.  My Mom was so excited she forgot his last name.  The cab driver and I thought it was very funny!  We got to the hotel, had dinner and watched Survivor (3 hours before my Dad and Sister!)  We had an early flight so we were off to bed. 

We got up early and got on our flight.  I even got to see the pilot and the cockpit!  I got to sit with him!  My Mom took tons of pictures too.  We flew into Portland, met my Dad and Sister, and then we are off to Seattle for the Mariners game on Saturday.  It was fun to take a trip up there.  I was really tired but I wanted to go to the game.  We were able to go up there with the Primary Immune Guild of Seattle.  They had hamburgers and hot dogs for us to eat.  We sat and watched the game and then we went to Pike Place Market.  We saw the fish place where they throw the fish and then I sat on the bronze pig.  It was a lot of fun but I was so tired!!

Your friend, Olivia