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OCONOMOWOC - Barb Dittrich is a very optimistic person, which hasn't been easy to be since her son, Charlie, 6, was diagnosed with hemophilia at birth.

Hemophilia is a genetic blood disorder that prevents a person's blood from clotting and can lead to severe arthritis and pain. Barb Dittrich and her husband, Steve, have taken what they have learned from their problems to help others in similar situations.

"You kind of see how you can bless other people with your troubles," she said.

This philosophy has driven Barb Dittrich to become active in organizations that provide support and education to those affected by disabilities.

Barb Dittrich is a member of the Great Lakes Hemophilia Foundation (GLHF) and will be traveling with fellow members to Washington, D.C., on Tuesday through March 9. There, she will meet with U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl, and she hopes to meet with US. Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner.

Barb Dittrich sees this trip as a great way to advocate changes in United States law. GLHF will ask Congress to support the Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act (GINA), which would prevent employers and insurance companies from discriminating against a person because of genetic information. Dittrich said GINA has wide-ranging applications as it would stop discrimination against many people, including those who had breast cancer or those who have a blood disorder.

"My hope is that we (GLHF) will have a positive visit and be effective in showing the legislators that it is good law for all Americans," she said.

Another objective GLHF has is to convince Washington politicians that increased funding for hemophilia clinics across the country will save taxpayers money in the long run and help to save the lives of many hemophilia patients.

"I see it as an opportunity to speak to politicians in a practical way and to show them what they're legislating," she said of her upcoming trip.

Barb Dittrich and her husband have been very effective in another area of their lives. In 2002, the couple formed Snappin' Ministries, a network of parents who have children with disabilities. The goal of Snappin' is to provide support and resources to these parents.

When Charlie Dittrich was diagnosed with hemophilia, his parents looked for a support group.

"There were many programs for kids, but we found that there was nothing for parents to help deal with the disability." Steve Dittrich said.

Dealing with Charlie's disability was traumatic for the couple and for then- older daughter, Lexi.

"We never know when trauma was going to hit," said Barb Dittrich, who used her Christian faith to get through the difficult times.

With little support for parents of disabled children, Barb and Steve Dittrich decided to form their own group with the help of other members at Alliance Bible Church in the town of Oconomowoc.

"We started out with only six families and a box of Kleenex in our living room," Barb Dittrich said.

Now, Snappin' Ministries serves more than 100 families in southeastern Wisconsin and Illinois.

It also works with Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Rogers Memorial Hospital and YMCA at Pabst Farms.

Snappin' Ministries' services include emergency transportation, a lending library monthly meetings with guest speakers, and "Give Me a Break." which gives parents the chance to run errands and to relax.

"We try to find resources for parents." Barb Dittrich said. "We want parents to leave the meeting with tools that they can go home and use."

For siblings of disabled children, Snappm' Ministries allows them to spend time together and to give each other support. As Lexi Dittrich, 10, will tell you, it's difficult for her, too.

"It's really hard sometimes, because it feels like he gets more attention than me," she said.

She was also quick to point out that it is difficult to watch her brother in pain.

Hemophilia has, of course, deeply affected Charlie.

"Every time I go to the doctor, I'm afraid," he said. "I'm afraid of getting poked."

Despite all the daily stress, the Dittrich family has chosen to take a positive outlook.

"If you think you have problems, you need to run into someone worse; it gives you perspective," said Steve Dittrich, referring to a lesson he learned at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin.