Thank Goodness for four wheel drive! Though this certainly has not been the worst winter on record, the last few weeks have delivered some pretty hazardous driving conditions for any one who wants (or has) to be out and about. I have with some luck managed to stay out of ditches, farm fields, trees, other cars fenders, and the body shop. Now that's high livin'. I hope you all fared so well.

Less pleasing for me this new year has been the sad decision to discontinue the support groups for Columbia, Sauk, and Richland Counties. There simply was too little attendance to justify maintaining them. The support group in Dodge County will continue, as will Dane County's. I will always be available for one to one meetings and family support education and will continue to meet with employers and schools when requested. If the happy day arrives that the interest in holding support and education meetings is revived, we'll start a new program immediately.

We had some very positive news in the mail this week. Our agency was awarded two scholarships to attend the Public Policy Institute during March in Washington, D.C. There will be seminars on how to better promote the interests of people with epilepsy and the need for supporting families to better support their loved ones. A major aspect of the seminar is to meet with our Senators Kohl and Feingold, and the Representatives that serve our agency territory, Tammy Baldwin in the Second Congressional District, and James Sensenbrenner, Jr., in the Ninth Congressional District.

It would be very helpful and I think effective if some of you could write a brief personal account of your situations and ways you think the government could help improve the delivery of services or provide new ones not currently available. We will add a cover letter and a binder and be sure they arrive in the hands of our representatives in the House and Senate. Also, we will be able to discuss these concerns with them directly. If you choose to contribute a personal viewpoint, this would be an outstanding way to be sure that you will be heard.

I am very pleased to be representing our agency at the seminar. Accompanying me will be Sandy Wrezenski, a parent from Sauk County who is raising a child with epilepsy and who understands the problems and the blessings that entails. When we return, I will report to you the accomplishments and news of the Institute and let you who contribute know personally how discussions went with our representatives.

In the meantime, see you out and about.

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