February 16, 2005
One Little Girl Making A Difference
One person can make a difference.
This old adage is once again proven correct by the efforts of Abigail Branson. Abigail, an individual with spina
bifida from Mississippi, is one of the SBA’s most effective ambassadors. Abigail, along with her mother Susan, routinely roams the halls of Congress advocating on behalf of the spina bifida community. Abigail’s efforts have paid off in many ways — educating congressional staffers about the effects and challenges of spina bifida, developing relationships with our country’s leaders, and working to increase funding for the National Spina Bifida Program at the Centers for Disease Control. Abigail is a seasoned veteran when it comes to lobbying Congress — she has dozens of visits under her belt and is looking forward to even more.
Yesterday, February 15th, Abigail spent the day with her mother and older brother Zachary advocating for increased funds for the National Spina Bifida Program. It is a tough budgetary environment but Abigail’s smile and persistence surely made the case for the need and importance of such an increase. Abigail may also have found her calling in life:
“Next time I want to make 9 visits instead of 7,” Abigail said to her mother. “I also think that I want to be a lobbyist when I grow up.”
(Picture left to right: Zachary Branson, Mississippi Senator Trent Lott, Susan Branson, and Abigail Branson)