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     Visualize this scene. The south wing of the Georgia State Capitol rotunda is filled with alternative medicine practitioners attending to visitors and legislators. You descend the huge spiral marble stairs. To your left are two therapy tables with practitioners addressing people's needs with energy therapy. Next to them are visitors at the homeopathy display table learning about the importance of detoxification. Two homeopaths are answering questions and explaining the science of homeopathy. Three herbalists, teaching visitors about one of the most popular healing arts, staff another table display. In front of you, slightly to your left are four hypnotherapists who greet the curious, explaining and discussing the advantages of hypnotherapy. Slightly to the right, in front of you is the CAMA display, manned by hosts and hostesses, overflowing with educational material on various forms of alternative medicine, a display celebrating diversity. To the right of the massive stairway is a massage therapist working on someone in a massage chair. Next to him, a couple of polarity therapists, then two more therapy tables with massage therapists, and a lymphatic drainage therapist ministering to the people. Over 30 CAMA members are educating about and demonstrating hypnotherapy, homeopathy, acupuncture, herbology, lymph drainage therapy, rolfing, massage, polarity therapy, energy therapy, organic foods, midwifery, nutrition, and the legislative process.

     For years CAMA has visualized this scene. On January 23rd, it was manifest. My heart smiled; let me tell you why. Though advocacy is only a small part of CAMA's mission, it is a vital component. Let me share with you some of its history.

     CAMA's State Capitol presence began in 1996, before CAMA existed. I 'coincidently' ran into a lobbyist, Ron Parker, in my front yard, while he was visiting the neighbors. We engaged in a conversation about the restrictions and misunderstandings about complementary/alternative medicine (CAM) in Georgia. We discussed education as the key to enlightenment, empowerment and change. To have the greatest impact, the education would need to include all groups - including our policy-makers.

     The CAMA vision was born - educating the public, the practitioner and the policy-maker about complementary/alternative medicine.

     Under the lobbyist's counsel, a small group of us worked with candidates during that fall of 1996 teaching about CAM as we worked, not as CAMA, but as individuals anxious to share the good news about CAM and learn about the legislative process. Without exaggeration, we put up thousands of yard signs and stuffed thousands of envelopes and met hundreds of wonderful people. We gave acupuncture demonstrations to legislators, candidates, and other campaign workers. We went to dozens of debates, picnics, and fund-raisers. We worked, worked, worked, and worked some more.

     In 1997, CAMA took a giant step. With the assistance of our lobbyist, we procured a CAMA Educational Room in the Legislative Office Building of the Georgia State Capitol. After all, we couldn't expect legislators to pass wise laws regarding CAM without educating them about its benefits and showing them its effectiveness. Rumors were rampant in the hallways accusing us of committing a felony because we were giving acupuncture to the legislators and staff. It was a tense and threatening time. We have maintained the CAMA Educational Room thanks to the openness of key legislators, the commitment of a small number of CAMA members who continue to staff the room as volunteers and the persistent diligence of our lobbyist. CAMA members have donated thousands of hours over these past four years educating legislators and staff through both explanation and demonstration.

     1997 also marked the first year that we supported CAM-friendly legislation. We supported an acupuncture bill that would have made acupuncture more available to the public and allowed practitioners to practice without constantly looking over their shoulder. Although we worked diligently from 1997-1998, with few members and little money, we were unable to get the legislation passed. But we made many friends and began to create a positive presence at the Capitol. We helped many people, both legislators and staff, and taught them about a new path to health.

     1998 marked another milestone in our advocacy history. The precursor of this year's CAM Day at the capitol was held in 1998. Only four CAMA members participated, but we counted it as another major step in our educational mission. We held CAM Days in 1999 and 2000, both with only a few faithful volunteers. And hence, the 1999-2000 session brought frustration and disappointment. We lost the battle to keep acupuncture as a discipline separate from allopathic medicine. The limited number of CAM-supportive participants did not give us the edge we needed to resist the influence of the Medical Association of Georgia, which orchestrated the move of acupuncture to their total control. Our 1999-2000 Freedom of Access Bill also met defeat without support from the CAM community.

     Hence, you can understand my happy heart when I gazed down on the beautiful scene from the fourth floor balcony of the rotunda at CAM Day 2001. For me, it was both the manifestation of a vision and a preview of future manifestation.

     And what does this beautiful scene mean to you? We know what it means for those of us who have sacrificed and given of our money, time, and talents for these past years to advance CAM for all of Georgia's citizens. It means that we are thankful for the privilege of sharing with others the good news of natural health care. It means that we understand the importance of involvement in the political process in securing our right to choose CAM. It means that we realize that freedom is not free. It means that we know that we need to put money, our mouth and ourselves in that which we believe in. It means that we accept the fact that numbers and money are needed to influence legislation. Is this what it means to you? Will it prompt you to help us continue to advocate for CAM by joining CAMA and donating of your money and time? Please tell me it is so.

     Contact CAMA at 404-284-7592 or www.camaweb.org and join us in shaping our future.

     Marjorie Roberts, RN, is President of CAMA, a writer, lecturer,
and practices as a Nurse Clinician/Educator at the
VA Medical Center. She may be reached at 404.284.7592.

Click here to get a form to send to CAMA for your support!

    Aquarius would like to urge our readers to support Complementary Alternative Medical disciplines in the Southeast. They are out on the frontlines, fighting for your right to seek the alternative treatment modality that you choose. Without them, you may lose the right to choose these treatments. Lobbying is hard work that requires great vigilance and diligence. Let's support CAMA with the strength of numbers, because that's what the legislators really pay heed to. Please join CAMA today, if you haven't already, and support their work and your freedom to choose. - The Editor