AUSTIN, Texas - Michelle Walker and her husband traveled more than 80 miles Monday for the sake of their 8-year-old son.
"This is a picture of Vincent," said Walker.
Their journey doesn't end here.
"This was as close as we got to a smile," she said.
Vincent has intractable epilepsy and severe autism.
His parents have been lobbying to gain more access to medical marijuana because, they say, his current medication doesn't help.
"He's at the FDA maximum and his seizures are escalating," said Walker. "It's become a matter of life and death for us."
Last session, lawmakers passed the Compassionate Use Act, which allows patients with intractable epilepsy access to doctor administered doses of marijuana.
While the Walker's say that's a good start, it's not enough for their son and say they'll have to move.
"I don't know what else to do," said Walker.
"We're losing some great Texans that are having to move to Colorado because of their care for their family," said Rep. Jason Isaac, R - Dripping Springs.
It's a familiar story to members of "Mothers Advocating for Medical Marijuana for Autism".
They visited lawmakers to persuade them to support Senate Bill 269, which allows more people with debilitating illnesses access to the drug.
"I think that when we say medical cannabis, people are still thinking about smoking for nausea and pain, but that's not what we're talking about anymore. We're talking about oils, tinctures, even with higher THC ratios being able to control the euphoric effect," said Thalia Michelle, of Mothers Advocating for Medical Marijuana for Autism.
Republican State Rep. Jason Isaac is also pushing for more options.
"It's a challenge, but what we see now in the Republican party of Texas and the party platform calling for expanded use, I think is a big step in the right direction," said Issac.
Even though Walker won't be around next session, she hopes to continue fighting.
"Texas is my home. I want to come back home, I want to help other families and give them the same hope that we have," said Walker.