Legislators: They’re just like us!

Legislators are, by and large, the same as any other person. They have their strengths and weaknesses and quirks and foibles. What they also have is the job of making public policy that affects the lives of their constituents, including those constituents whose lives are affected by Diabetes. Our job, as advocates, is to find ways to break through the noise of all the other issues that could take the time and energy of the legislator.

In order to be heard, nothing beats a genuine human to human connection. Making that connection can take any number of forms. A simple opening to the making of that connection can be as simple as learning about the legislator (school, profession, friends in common, family, church, etc.) and talking about commonalities. By far the most important method of making the connection you want to make is to effectively and compellingly tell YOUR story. When you leave your meeting, or end your phone call, you want to know that your story was heard…and felt. You want your legislator to know and feel why your ask matters and has to be acted upon.