Are you ready to tell your story? Your legislators in Washington D.C., in your state, and your home town want to hear from you about how IBD has affected your life and the legislation you care about. Brooke Abbott of The Crazy Creole Mommy Chronicles and Amber tell you how to get started in health activism and how to make your voice heard in our government!

6:00: What's an IBD Elevator Speech? Hear Brooke's and then use the create your own.

7:15: Find out what happens when you meet with the staff in your representatives' office.

12:27: What should you know—and do—before you meet with someone at your representative's office?

12:53: What you do say when you call your representative's office to set up a meeting?

15:34: Do this if your representative will not meet with you.

22:07: What to write on a postcard you send to your representative.

28:50: Do our representatives pay attention to Twitter hashtags?

29:48: How https://www.govtrack.us/ and https://www.congress.gov/ can help you advocate!

35:30: Brooke always does this one thing before she goes into a meeting.

39:70: Learn which senator is also a gastroenterologist.

44:04: We talk about one of my Senators who I coincidentally met with about a week after we recorded this episode! (See my Facebook or Twitter feed for the photos!)

52:35: New segment on the show: Amber's Unsolicited Parenting Advice!

59:23: Listen to About IBD Episode 5 to learn why Brooke is Amber's "Alec Baldwin." Want to do more?

*Brooke and Amber attended the Digestive Disease National Coalition Public Policy Forum in 2017. You can find out more about their events and legislative events on their site: http://www.ddnc.org/

*Sign up for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation Advocacy Network to get informed about advocacy goals: http://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/get-involved/be-an-advocate/

*See if your legislator is on the Crohn's and Colitis Caucus. If not, write them and ask them to join! http://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/assets/pdfs/advocacy/2017-caucus-handout-1.pdf

*Don't know where to start? Get in touch with us—we're friendly! Featured Guest:

Brooke Abbott, The Crazy Creole Mommy Chronicles

• Blog: https://crazycreolemommy.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrazyCreoleMama
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/CrzyCreoleMommy/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crazycreolemama/

Find Amber J Tresca at:

• Verywell: https://www.verywell.com/ibd-crohns-colitis-4014703
• Blog: http://aboutibd.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ibdcrohns/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/aboutIBD
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/aboutibd/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/about_IBD/

Intro Music: Retro Soul - Bensound.com - www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music

Outro Music: Jazzy Frenchy - Bensound.com - www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music