NY Bill to allow essential support people during pandemics

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ASPartOfMe
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Joined: 25 Aug 2013
Age: 66
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Location: Long Island, New York

13 Jun 2021, 8:20 am

Calling on Cuomo to sign hospital reform

Quote:
Three South Queens legislators joined together last Friday to demand that Gov. Cuomo sign a bill that is aimed at reforming hospital intake for people with disabilities during a pandemic.

State Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. (D-Howard Beach) gathered with Assemblymembers Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Rockaway Park) and Jenifer Rajkumar (D-Woodhaven) at the Regal Cinema in Glendale, a favorite spot of Fred D’Amico, whom they named their bill after.

When D’Amico, a 30-year-old man with severe Asperger’s, was brought by his mother, Maria, into Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center on Long Island on March 27, 2020, she was forced to leave due to the governor’s executive orders preventing guardians or caregivers from accompanying those with mental disabilities through their hospitalization in an effort to stop the spread of Covid.

By March 31, after D’Amico’s condition had worsened and he was intubated, hospital staff decided to take him off life support. His mother only learned about the decision after many frustrated attempts to get in touch with her son and hospital staff.

Four days later, the D’Amicos were told that their son had passed away, leaving them devastated knowing Fred was unable to speak or advocate for himself.

It passed unanimously in the Senate and Assembly, where a version was introduced by Pheffer Amato. Now the legislators are urging Cuomo to sign the bill as soon as it lands on his desk sometime after the legislative session ends in June.


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Professionally Identified and joined WP August 26, 2013
DSM 5: Autism Spectrum Disorder, DSM IV: Aspergers Moderate Severity

“My autism is not a superpower. It also isn’t some kind of god-forsaken, endless fountain of suffering inflicted on my family. It’s just part of who I am as a person”. - Sara Luterman