It’s An Honor, Senator Kerry

Standing shoulder to shoulder we stood at attention being careful not to move a muscle.  There we stood; shoulders back, chest out, chin up and staring straight ahead.  After all, what are you supposed to do when a former presidential hopeful steps onto the elevator with you?

A member of the Ohio contingent representing the AARC's Policital Action Contact Team (PACT), I was on my way with fellow Ohioans Joe Huff and John Servick to visit the office of Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) in the Russell Senate building when on the elevator came Senator John Kerry (D-MA).  We stood there paralyzed not really knowing what to do or how to act.  Staring at each other in awe, we were in the company of a political celebrity.  Breaking the awkward silence that seemed to go on forever, Joe simply said... "It's an honor, Senator Kerry."

During the two-day affair in Washington we walked the hallowed halls of the House of Representatives visiting senators, congressman, and their legislative aids as we represented the interests of the more than 17 million Americans who suffer from chronic pulmonary disease.  Hoping to enhance access to pulmonary rehabilitation programs and respiratory therapists alike, lobbying efforts were made to include such language into the national Medicare program that would provide reimbursement to those professionals providing these services.  While nothing would be determined in one day, or by any one individual, the collective efforts of the respiratory therapists who marched on Capitol Hill this week will forever be remembered when the day finally comes that we win this fight for our patients.

At the end of a very long day, those in attendance gathered in a ballroom at the Crystal City Marriott hotel to debrief on the events that had just transpired... a celebration if you will.  Those who wanted to were welcome to step to the microphone and share their stories from the day.  A sense of camaraderie and accomplishment filled the room. Collectively, we had made a difference.  At the close of the evening, AARC President Toni Rodriguez addressed the group and said; "The AARC is not your usual profession.  Today, you brought miracles to those in need of our help.  You brought their voice to Washington and did not leave until their voice was heard.  For that, you should be quite proud as you accomplished something very special.  Thank you for all that you do."

Emotionally, I sat there with a sense of pride and with goose bumps running up and down my arms.  The audience roared to an ovation in unanimous celebration of the day's accomplishments.  For a brief moment, I humbly sat there quietly and whispered to myself... "It's an honor President Rodriguez."