Amelia Rivera, Our Symbol of Justice
By Tim Shriver
There is much good news to share from New Jersey over the last two weeks.
On August 6 we received word from Amelia Rivera’s mother, Chrissy, that Amelia is now in line to receive her kidney transplant in the near future! Please read the Rivera’s blog for the details and leave them a message of support and congratulations.
Today, August 21, the State Senate in New Jersey has passed a bill prohibiting discrimination of people with developmental disabilities with regard to receiving medical treatment in hospitals. The legislation is meant to ensure that no family will have to fight the same battle fought so bravely by the Rivera’s simply to secure equal medical treatment for a loved one with an intellectual disability. This is a big win for the special needs community and the state of New Jersey. It is a win that should inspire immediate state by state legislative review across the country and inspire immediate legislative action in any state not meeting the criteria stated by New Jersey’s Senate President Steve Sweeney:
“People with developmental disabilities should not be treated as second-class citizens. Their disabilities do not make them any less human or worthy of respect and common decency. They should be afforded the same rights as anyone would want when entering a hospital.”
Bravo to Steve Sweeney and the New Jersey Senate. And BRAVO to Amelia, our symbol of justice!
- T
EDITOR’S NOTE: Read the previous posts on this issue here:
“CHOP Apologize to Amelia Rivera” by Tim Shriver on February 16, 2012
“An Update on Amelia” by Tim Shriver on February 7, 2012
“Raise Your Voice For Dignity” by Tim Shriver on January 18, 2012
