cahartung
LIF Infant
Member since 10/07 74 total posts
Name:
Abigail's Crib Disaster
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Abigail and I fight for safety @ Capitol Hill
What an unforgettable experience it was to go to Capitol Hill.
We arrived at the Beacon Hotel, where they had reserved us rooms, the afternoon of Feb. 6th. We had a few hours before we would meet the other families, whose children were also harmed by unsafe products and members of the Consumers Union for dinner. We ventured out and took a 6 block walk where Abigail saw the White House for the first time.
We made it back for dinner right on time and met the nicest families you could imagine. Everyone was down to earth and just amazing. These families had much more tragic events take place than we did. Their children required hospital visits and/or surgery. They all were there, as we were, to make a difference so no one else would have to go through what we did. We all came from different parts of the country, but were on one mission. To help Senator Pryor pass a bill to have the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reformed.
Early the next morning we went to the Consumers Union building. They are a nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports Magazine. They organized the family’s trips to DC and much the event with Senator Pryor’s office. What a great group of people. We all had breakfast and went over the day’s agenda before we headed over to Capitol Hill for the press conference.
When we first arrived, we were put in a room separate from the reporters. I think we were all a little nervous and anxious. Abigail settled everyone’s nerves by giving everyone hi-5’s and teasing them with her funny faces. She sure helped take my mind off my impending speech while making two new best friends, Devlin and Tegan. These boys had to undergo some serious surgeries after swallowing some magnets. Abigail just fell in love with them.
When it was time for the conference the Consumers Union staff ushered us into a room filled with photographers, reporters and news cameras. I can’t even explain how that felt. That was when I knew I was accomplishing something. My days in the Coast Guard doing search and rescue might be over but I still might be helping families and helping some lives on land. It was a good feeling.
At first the Senator spoke of his plan to reform the CPSC. When he finished, he introduced us one by one. As each family took the podium to speak you couldn’t help wanting to shed some tears. Their stories and what they went through was heart breaking. These people were given a second chance with their children. Their baby’s lives were almost taken by manufacturers who are more interested in making a profit then protecting their consumers.
I was the last to speak. After hearing the previous stories my nervousness left me and anger took over. We all could have had our baby’s taken from us in the blink of an eye. I told my story. It went by so fast. I wanted to stay up there and keep stressing manufactures need to know that we as consumers will not take their carelessness anymore.
We need the CPSC to be able to protect the consumer and not the manufacturer. We need change. We need to empower the CPSC to better regulate.
After we spoke, reporters came up to us individually. An NBC reporter wanted my contact information for a future story which I was glad to give. Then we had pictures taken with Senator Pryor.
That afternoon, my wife, Carolyn, daughter, Abigail, and l had the pleasure to speak with our New Jersey Senators, Senator Menendez and Senator Lautenberg. They are wonderful people in favor of reform in the CPSC who support Senator Pryor’s bill. Of course Abigail made it fun with hi-5’s, eye winking and funny faces. She put a smile on everyone’s face she met and some cheerios on all the Capitol’s floors.
Everyone we came in contact with these 2 short days made us feel so comfortable and welcome. It felt as though we had known them all for years.
I would like to urge everyone reading this to go to the Consumers Union’s website,” Not in My Cart.” This will send a message and tell your Senator to pass this legislation!
This is a website ran by the Consumers Union.
https://secure.npsite.org/cu/site/Advocacy?JServSessionIdr004=v6fxc443e2.app44a&cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1767
The following is a link of the press release for this press conference in it gives a brief description of the family’s involved.
http://pryor.senate.gov/newsroom/details.cfm?id=292008
We all need to speak out for our children and future generations to come.
The CPSC has a website, https://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx , where you can sign up to receive notices of recalled product. It only takes a few moments to sign up.
Lastly if anyone ever has a problem with any kind of product PLEASE don't only call the manufacturer. Notify the CPSC at:
http://www.cpsc.gov/talk.html
You might save someone else from injury.
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Message edited 2/11/2008 6:19:58 PM.
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