Changing and Creating Laws to help Survivors of Brain Injury and General Brain Disorders

Currently I have been honored to receive the assistance of State Representative Kathleen A. Ryg (D- IL Vernon Hills) Kathy Ryg and her staff work for the people. Parents who struggle daily with issues pertaining to our children and loved ones. Since the onset of our foundation to find help for my daughter, Kathy and her staff have secured Public Aid Benefits for Heather, helped me get her into the facility she is now attending in Carbondale, but more importantly she has listened to the needs of all families faced with devastating issues who need help and an advocate in their corner. I have found Kathy Ryg to be that advocate. Recently, on April 14 , 2005, Kathy Ryg unanimously passed the Restroom Access Act, which now heads to the Senate. This bill was introduced by Kathy Ryg after a mother of a daughter with Crohns disease contacted Kathy regarding her daughter being turned away from the use of restrooms in local stores. This is the person we need working for Brain Injury survivors. Someone willing to listen and act, willing to go the extra step to help make life easier and safer, while at the same time bringing awareness to the public.

When I brought to her attention the issue regarding the horrible response I received from law enforcement and emergency teams, when I so desperately needed help with Heather, Kathy and her staff immediately went to work on investigating what, if any, laws or procedures were on the books. Within 24 hours I had received a call from one of Kathy Ryg's legislative Aids who had looked up a number of police department procedures and had found nothing in regard to Traumatic Brain Injury. I am confident that Kathy Ryg will help to secure a safe plan for these issues. Kathy Ryg has put me in contact with the appropriate people. She opened a door that has remained shut for so long.

On Thursday, June 30.2005, Myself as well as other Brain Injury advocates are meeting with a local police department to implement a program to bring education into the police departments. We have many ideas such as video training and public service announcements to help us with this goal. Laws need to be put into place to keep our loved ones safe. Education and awareness of Brain Disabilities needs to be a priority. Knowledge saves lives. I receive daily emails from families who have suffered watching their loved one who suffers from Brain Injury thrown into jail because of their lack of control or ability to stop there unwanted behaviors. I am willing and ready to take this as far as I have to see to it that no other family suffers like this again. We will make this happen for Illinois, and then the nation. You may read about our personal situation on Heather's progress page.

Monday June 27 I will be meeting with State Representative Kathy Ryg to discuss ideas to promote awareness and funding for the State of Illinois TBI survivors. I have devoted many hours to researching other laws in various states and feel confident that we can apply them to Illinois. It is my hope that by leading the way with Illinois eventually we can branch out nationally and Traumatic Brain Injury Survivors will have their voice, their legal rights, the appropriate medical needs and the stigma that is attached to All Brain Disorders will be gone.