& EQUIPMENT

the device recited, “Hi, I’m Maddy Cummins and I am representing Children’s Hospital Colorado.”

Around her neck was a nametag, with a green ribbon underneath with the words “I’m fearless” on it.

The family spent two days traversing the Capitol complex to meet with staff from the entire Colorado congressional delegation as part of the Children’s Hospital Association’s Family Advocacy Day. At stop after stop, Maddy highlighted important issues to her: no cuts to Medicaid, support for pediatric mental health, and education and training for pediatric specialists, like the ones at Children’s Hospital Colorado who help her.

Maddy relies on Tricare — her father is retired from the Air Force — and Medicaid for all her medical needs, from her doctor’s visits and medication to her hospital bed at home.

“Without this coverage, it would make my life so much harder than it already is,” she said.

Maddy has been a patient ambassador for the hospital before, going to a Nuggets game (she’s a fan) and some golf tournaments. But never the U.S. Capitol.

Her father, Matthew, said when they were approached to make this trip, the family had to talk it over.

“We asked Maddy first, ‘Are you up for this cause it’s going to be a challenging trip, with all the various medications and therapies and extra equipment we have to bring along with us?’,” Matthew said. “She [was] absolutely up for it. She wants to meet the challenge. She’s a tough girl and she wants to show what she can do.”

Maddy spent about a month working on what she’d say.

“I’m very excited to be here,” was one of her answers. “Thank you for listening to me. It’s important to continue funding for patients like me.”

She even threw in some political jokes. (“Where can kids vote? In swing states.” “How much does it cost to vote?” “You have to check the Bill of Rights.”)

Maddy’s mom, Amy, said at first it was intimidating, walking into a senator’s ornate office. But by the end of their time on the Hill, her view had changed. “This experience was amazing. I felt like they really wanted to hear about the daily life of Maddy and of children with medical complex needs in Colorado and where they’re lacking and where they’re succeeding.”

The family of five (Maddy has two younger siblings) chose to move to Colorado after Matthew left the military, in large part because of the health care and specialists Maddy would be able to access in the state.

But they were also realistic about the challenges of getting all that they asked for. The Republicancontrolled House is looking to cut spending this budget go-round, so additional funding for pediatric care may be hard to come by.

“We know there are budgetary constraints, especially in today’s world,” said Matthew. “We’re aware of that, but we’re willing to help advocate in any way we can.”

After a grueling eight meetings on their second day, the family was worn out, but happy. Maddy was too tired to keep using her communication device. So instead she communicated with her eyes — looking directly at you for a yes, away for no.

“Maddy would you do this again? Would you want to come and lobby lawmakers again?” I asked. She quickly looked straight at me. For all the challenges, it was an unhesitating “yes.”

After telling Maddy’s story to lawmakers, the family left feeling they would at least try and help her and other kids like her.

Whether they’ll succeed, remains to be seen.

The Colorado Public Radio story runs as part of a news sharing agreement with Colorado Community Media.

Thu 7/13

Deer Fellow: Sofar Denver @ 7:30pm Sofar Denver, Denver

Sat 7/15

Blues & BBQ Festival for Better Housing @ 11am / $10

Citizens Park Pavil‐lion, 5570 West 24th Avenue, Edgewater. lwilletto@habitatmetro denver.org, 720-798-5225

HANA

@ 9pm Bar Standard, 1037 Broadway, Denver

Taylor Fest

@ 9pm Bluebird Theatre, 3317 E. Colfax Avenue, Denver

Fri 7/14

Myles Bullen: Compost Heap Festival @ 4pm Seventh Circle Music Collective, 2935 W 7th Ave, Denver

Luke Amelang LIVE Acoustic - SOLO @ 11am Buffalo Rose, 1119 Washington Ave, Golden

Tony Goffredi: Tony G @Woodie Fisher @ 11am

Woodie Fisher Kitchen & Bar, 1999 Chest‐nut Pl Suite 100, Denver

Charlie Fox @ 7pm

Dazzle Denver, 1512 Curtis St, Denver

Patti Fiasco supporting Volores @ 7pm

The Black Buzzard, 1624 Market St, Den‐ver

Potcheen: Back

Where it all Began @ 7:30pm Cactus Jack's Saloon, 4651 County Hwy 73, Evergreen

Cassian @ 9pm The Church, 1160 Lincoln St, Denver

Deer Fellow, Alana Mars, and Nicki Walters at Skylark Lounge @ 7:30pm

Skylark Lounge, 140 S Broadway, Denver

The Patti Fiasco @ 8pm

Oskar Blues Grill & Brew, 1624 Market St, Denver

Dave Jordan @ 9pm Wood Cellar, 1552 Bergen Pkwy #101, Evergreen

Sun 7/16

Tori Amos @ 8pm Red Rocks Amphithe‐atre, 18300 W Alameda Pkwy, Morri‐son

Tue 7/18

Jenny Shawhan @ 4pm Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel, 1550 Court Pl, Denver

Honey Revenge @ 6:30pm Marquis Theater, 2009 Larimer St, Denver

Helleborus @ 8pm Globe Hall, 4483 Logan St, Denver

Wed 7/19

Keith Hicks @ 6pm Woods Boss Brewing, 2210 California St, Denver

Blue River Grass: BRG @ Goosetown Station @ 3pm

Goosetown Station, 514 9th St, Golden

DJ Williams @ 5pm

Levitt Pavilion Denver, 1380 W Florida Ave, Denver

Carolyn Shulman: Music at The Denver Zoo's Summer Extended Hours @ 5:30pm Denver Zoo, 2300 Steele St, Denver

Kowan Turner: Levitt Pavilion @ 8:30pm Levitt Pavilion Denver, 1380 W Florida Ave, Denver

Mon 7/17

FITZ AND THE TANTRUMS @ 6:30pm Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St, Denver

The Maggie Valley Band @ 8pm

Skylark Lounge, 140 S Broadway, Denver

Erin Stereo @ 10pm

The Ginn Mill, 2041 Larimer St, Denver