On February 23, the American Diabetes Association celebrated Diabetes Day at the Capitol. People from all over Oregon came to Salem to speak with legislators about issues that affect people with diabetes in our state and advocate for Oregonians with diabetes. We met with legislators, sat in on committee meetings, and spent the day walking around the Capitol in our red shirts. It was a great experience, and it would be even better if we could get a group from Southern Oregon to go up next year!

I had the opportunity to talk to people about the needs of kids with type 1 diabetes. I told them that we needed more resources, no restrictions on test strips, that we need access to continuous glucose monitors, and how important it is for government to not prevent us from taking care of ourselves! I also told them that research has shown that only 20% of people with type 1 diabetes are managing it well, so we need help finding easier, better ways to manage diabetes.

It felt like a really positive experience, and that it's important for legislators to see and meet their constituents who have diabetes.