Pictured (left to right) is Senator Sabatina, Chrissy Rivera, her daughter Amelia Rivera, Sabra Townsend of SpArc of Philadelphia and Representative Tom Murt.
The family behind New Jersey’s landmark “Amelia’s Law” last Friday joined state Sen. John Sabatina Jr. to promote his effort to pass similar legislation in Pennsylvania.
Sabatina noted the 25th anniversary of passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
ldquo;After 25 years, we still have work to do in recognizing people with disabilities as having equal rights and equal opportunity,” he said. “Our laws have changed. Our society has changed, but this young girl and her family are proof that the need for change remains constant.”
Amelia Rivera, the inspiration behind New Jersey’s “Amelia’s Law,” received a kidney transplant two years ago after being initially denied the operation because of her intellectual disability. An online petition started by her mother, Chrissy, eventually convinced doctors to change their decision about the transplant and prompted the passage of legislation in New Jersey ending discrimination by disability in the transplant system.
At a news conference at SpArc Philadelphia, 2350 W. Westmoreland St., Chrissy Rivera spoke about her ordeal and the way public support sparked the change that saved her daughter.
Sabatina (D-5th dist.), a former member of the state House of Representatives, has introduced legislation in both the Senate and the House that would ban discrimination in Pennsylvania’s transplant system on the basis of disability.
ldquo;We can’t let the right to life be dictated by circumstances beyond an individual’s control,” he said. “It is enshrined in our founding documents that we have an equal right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That’s what my legislation intends to enforce.”
Sabatina’s bills have been dubbed “Paul’s Law,” inspired by Paul Corby, a 24-year-old autistic patient from Pottsville who was denied a life-preserving heart transplant by the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in 2011.
As a member of the House, Sabatina drafted House Bill 585, which would prohibit organ transplant organizations from discriminating on the basis of physical or mental disability. Sabatina, who was sworn-in to the Senate in June, soon after introduced Senate Bill 902.
New Jersey Senate President Steve Sweeney, the author of Amelia’s Law, offered encouragement for the Pennsylvania effort.
ldquo;I want to praise Senator Sabatina and all the advocates in Pennsylvania for their efforts on this issue,” he said. “People with developmental disabilities should not be treated as second-class citizens and they certainly should not be denied transplants that can save their lives or improve their quality of life.”
Supporters attending the news conference included state Rep. Tom Murt (R-152nd dist.) and Sabra Townsend of the ARC of Philadelphia. Julia Bascom, of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, participated by Skype. ••
