I worked as a diabetes advocate for many years in Massachusetts. For about 4 years a group of us organized a Diabetes Day on the Hill, where we got a group of families together to try and persuade the Massachusetts house to pass legislation to cover diabetes supplies. For all of the years except the last one I was involved in, the turnout by politicians was paltry. We managed to do a little education and awareness raising, but the bill wasn’t going anywhere.

In the last year, we managed to get Nicole Johnson (former Miss World) to turn up. The effect was amazing. All of the representatives came out of their offices to say hello and have their pictures taken with Nicole. The bill passed within 6 months.

Sometimes things get done when famous/beautiful people are involved. For the rest of us, it’s just a lot of extra work.