Addie & Anne take a break from lobbying to tour DC
Anne & Addie take a picture with Vice President Joe Biden after Addie explained the importance of Best Buddies
by ANNE HOPTON-JONES
Lead Program Manager | Best Buddies Texas
Washington DC was a little friendlier this week when nearly 300 Best Buddies and Special Olympics participants fanned out across Capitol Hill to lobby for the Eunice Kennedy Shiver Act of 2010.
Best Buddies and Special Olympics presented a united front in honor of the late Eunice Kennedy Shiver, who was a vigorous advocate for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Best Buddies Texas Buddy Ambassador Addie Lasseigne was among the selected participants charged with the task of introducing this vital piece of legislation to federal representatives.
As a Best Buddies Texas staff member and former Best Buddies and Special Olympics volunteer, I was invited to accompany Addie on this rewarding mission!
On Wednesday, January 27, Best Buddies and Special Olympics descended on Capitol Hill with a powerful message. Addie, who was also celebrating her 19th birthday, and I were among a small group of participants invited to meet with Vice President Joe Biden! We were honored and humbled by this assignment.
In Addie’s words, “This is so awesome! We are fabuloso!” Addie certainly had no qualms about meeting the Vice President. I, on the other hand, was a nervous wreck!
Our meeting with Vice President Biden at his 19th Century home was both enlightening and successful. He was very responsive to our purposeful mission. Addie and I left with a feeling of great accomplishment.
When asked to recall her favorite memory, Addie responded, “I really liked the Lincoln Memorial. From the top of the stairs, you could see so many important buildings. That was so cool!”
Everything about our trip was very cool. Addie is someone who inspires me everyday. I cannot imagine sharing this extraordinary experience with anyone else.
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After Special Olympics founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver passed away in August of 2009, Best Buddies and Special Olympics joined forces on a new piece of legislation, the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Act of 2010, which is a tangible testament to her dedication to improve the lives of persons with intellectual disabilities in the form of ongoing research, national and international expansion and training activities.
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