Today was quite the busy day! After flying into D.C. we began meeting other delegates at registration and made some new friends.
Our first event was the song performance. Crystal Bowersox, of American Idol fame, led us all in singing 'Promise to Remember Me,' Wich was co-written by Stephen Schwartz and Alan Sylvestri especially for JDRF. It was quite a task to get all 160 kids arranged! Everyone was so impressed by how well the delegates knew the song. Crystal has a beautiful voice, and it was so fun to be able to sing as a group! A video of the performance will be available soon. Here's a preview with the lyrics from the chorus:
Time takes what we feel
Even when it's real
Fades it like a sunset on the sea
I know, but still I'm asking you to promise
Promise to remember me.
After that everyone grouped together by state to take a photo with Crystal and Olympic swimmer Gary Hall, Jr. The Illinois delegates range from 4 to 17, and it was so fun for Catherine and I to meet Colin, Klaire, Morgan, and Emily! Our group has very diverse experiences with T1; I am 17 and have been diabetic for 14 years, whereas Klaire is only 4 and was diagnosed in March of 2013. It is so cool that we have all been able to come together as advocates for JDRF.
We concluded the days events with the opening banquet. We were super excited because the hotel had been able to give the delegates the exact number of carbohydrates in every dish- none of the usual crazy guessing that diabetics (and their parents) usually have to do at restaurants! Every delegate got to introduce themself, and we met our wonderful co-chairs. After some time to rest, we'll be ready for another full day tomorrow!
