Charlotte Rose Goes to Washington

Next week, while the grown-ups in Washington duke it out over healthcare reform, 8-year-old Charlotte Rose will make her mark on Capital Hill as a part of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's Children's Congress.

I'm as proud of her as I could be if she were my child.

Charlotte Rose is the granddaughter of my friend, SaraKay Smullens. Two years ago, after a disturbing medical event, Charlotte Rose was hospitalized, then diagnosed with type-1 diabetes. At the time, I would hear from SaraKay about their fears, with requests for prayers, of course. It was a frightening time for the entire family.

Today Charlotte Rose is not only a good patient, but she has become an activist, too. Not content to take care of only herself, she will join 149 other children with diabetes, ages 4 to 17, as they descend on Washington to talk to their congressional representatives about the disease they live with every day, asking those representatives to help them find a cure.

Here is what Charlotte Rose has to say about her diabetes:

“Living with diabetes is really hard. It is hard to feel different from my friends. It is hard to keep track of every single carb that I eat. It is hard to watch my friends enjoy many treats that I cannot have. When I first got diabetes I told my parents that I was too young to have diabetes and that it was too scary. I told them to make it go away. I know they would if they could, but I believe that Congress can do what they can't. I am almost never scared anymore. I am strong and I work very hard to stay healthy.”

As empowered patients, we put so many of our efforts into taking care of our own navigation through the healthcare system. However, some take it a step further. They advocate for the bigger picture, too. Charlotte Rose, as young as she is, is one of those who is working to improve care for children of the future.

When you hear about the JDRF Children's Congress next week, think of Charlotte Rose. At her young age, she's accomplishing something that many adults will never accomplish in their lifetimes. I expect you'll be proud of her, too.

• Learn more about the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
• Learn more about the JDRF Children's Congress 2009

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Photo: Charlotte Rose (left) and her sister, Amelia (Photo provided by the family.)