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| May 16, 2007 |
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Reflections & Recommitments
 It's hard to believe that Working 2 Walk 2007 is over. Mother Nature spared no blooms in the display that welcomed advocates in Washington. We were rewarded for our efforts with not only education and advocacy inspiration; we got an extra bonus in the form of perfect weather and the best that Springtime DC could possibly offer!
Unite 2 Fight Paralysis feels that W2W 2007 met its goals of unifying, educating and empowering advocates for paralysis cure research. Much of the Symposium and Rally may be viewed via video from Bruce Hanson. Kate Willette's written account is a great read in LiveBlog format, posted here. The Working 2 Walk 2007 website has been updated with pictures of the event. ProfessirX has new videos of his rally performances, Ain't No Stoppin' Us and Get Up, Stand Up. Watch for video of the amazing vocal performances-"Reeve" and "Now and Forever"- by Todd Phillips, available soon on the Working 2 Walk 2007 website!
Now we must build on the momentum gained at W2W. We have much work to do, and the current marching orders are clear.
The Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act has been introduced in both the House of Representatives (Bill No. HR 1727) and the Senate (Bill No. S 1183). It currently has 36 co-sponsors in the House and 19 co-sponsors in the Senate. If your Senators or Representative aren't listed as co-sponsors, it's once again time to begin working towards that end.
The House vote on S. 5, The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, is anticipated on either Wednesday, June 6 or Thursday, June 7th. Experts predict that it may be met with a Motion to Recommit from Republicans. (A Motion to Recommit is a parliamentary ploy used by the Minority to send a bill back to committee or amend it at the last minute, to basically either delay or kill the bill.) CAMR (Coalition for Advancement of Medical Research), a leading stem cell research advocacy organization, requests the following action: "...Start sending Members of the House letters urging their support of S.5. We request that grassroots advocates begin making plans and appointments to meet with their Representatives over the Memorial Day Recess at events for the holiday or during the District Work Period to urge their support of S.5."
S.5 has been altered slightly from the original, HR 810. The new language does not affect policy in any way, simply encourages the NIH to fund stem cell research using non-embryonic sources - something that the NIH is already doing.
The print version of U2FP's "Bridges 2 Hope" was well-received as an advocacy tool for W2W grassroots lobbyists, and is now available for purchase here! This collection of stories and pictures of those affected by paralysis is undeniably effective. Advocates are organized by state in the book; legislators were visibly moved when faced with pictures of voters from their homes. If you haven't done so, please submit your story and picture for inclusion in future editions. It takes only minutes and is an advocacy action that anyone with a computer can easily join!
Unite 2 Fight Paralysis has just a few more words about Working 2 Walk 2007. If you participated via attending, donating, sponsoring, performing or speaking-thank you. We couldn't do it without your help. If you were unable to attend, it's not too late to join the action. The work is ongoing, and finding a cure for paralysis is a big job. Old sayings tend to stay in the lexicon because their essential truths are constant. At this point, one old saying springs to mind-"Many hands make light work."
Sincerely,
Your Friends at
Unite 2 Fight Paralysis
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