Lobby Day Advocates Put a Face on CFIDS

As a former United States Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) lawyer, Sharon Greenspan is intimately familiar with the inner workings of the federal government. She has prepared testimony for others to present before Congress and, on occasion, personally lobbied legislative bodies. Greenspan is enthusiastic about utilizing that experience during the CFIDS Association of America’s Lobby Day 2005 activities.

“I’ve attended two of the last three Lobby Days, and I can’t tell you how powerful a feeling it is to sit in front of those lawmakers,” said Greenspan. “Lobby Day is very different from attending a conference. This is an opportunity to knock on somebody’s door and to speak to them face-to-face. This is a chance to say to Capitol Hill staffers, ‘Look at me because this could happen to you or to someone you know and love.’”

Greenspan worked long hours in the office, in court and as a member of the INS speakers’ bureau prior to becoming ill in 1987. Six months into her strange illness she was diagnosed with CFIDS. Greenspan was known for her hard work, dedication and for rarely being sick, so her colleagues were supportive and didn’t doubt that she was ill. She sees Lobby Day as an opportunity to use that support and her reputation to put a face on CFIDS.

“We all want to make a difference and to feel empowered. Lobby Day gives us that chance,” said Greenspan. “Climbing those steps to the Capitol building is empowering, to be in the Senate office building is empowering. And now that we’re sick, it’s even more important to meet the people who run our country.”

Past participants and novices alike are invited to join Greenspan for the 2005 Lobby Day. In recognition of May 12 as International CFIDS Awareness Day, the CFIDS Association will hold its annual Lobby Day on that date, with the mandatory training session on May 11. People with CFIDS, family members and friends make great advocates. The personal stories you share with elected officials and their staff members can make a huge difference in how CFIDS fares in the competitive funding environment we face this year.

To register for Lobby Day 2005 or to obtain more information, visit http://www.cfids.org/advocacy/lobby-day.asp, send an e-mail message to lobbyday05@cfids.org or call the Association’s resource line at 704-365-2343. Please note that the deadline to reserve hotel rooms is Monday, April 11.