United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Statement by Kathleen G. Sebelius Secretary of Health and Human Services On US Signing of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities:
Today, the United States joins 141 other nations who have signed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The signing of the UN Convention sends an important message that this country is committed to equal rights for people with disabilities, in the United States and around the world.
Another important example of our commitment is the President’s launch of the Year of Community Living in June. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has already begun to carry out the Community Living initiative by establishing an HHS Coordinating Council, led by the Office on Disability.
The Administration on Aging, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Office for Civil Rights, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and -- most recently -- the Health Resources and Services Administration, the Administration for Children and Families, and the Office of Public Health and Science have joined the Coordinating Council. I am pleased that we have assembled such considerable expertise to ensure that living independently with a disability is a real choice.
HHS is proud to support the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the first new UN human rights convention of the 21st century. We look forward to advancing dignity, autonomy, full inclusion, and equality of opportunity for Americans, and for people with disabilities around the world.

During his visit for Congress on your Corner, Peter Roskam invites Addison residents to meet at Jewel Store, Green Meadow Shopping Center

Congressman Peter Roskam answered questions from Addison residents, like Henry W. Hochstatter on Friday, July 3rd, 2009, at Jewel Store during his congressional visit to discuss significant issues about the Healthcare Reform Bill and other constituent services for the congressional 6th District in DuPage County, Illinois, USA.

Score 1 for Men's Health Fair: Alcoholics Anonymous

Henry W. Hochstattter, Supporter for High Hopes Traumatic Brain Injury Support Group at Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital, from 1979 through Present

My name is Henry W. Hochstatter. I am a TBI supporter for High Hopes at Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital. The month of June in 2009 reminds me of the first time I attended the High Hopes Support Group for Traumatic Brain Injury, since my tragic accident with a semi-truck on March 23, 1979, along Addison Road, in Addison, Illinois.

I am the founding member of the High Hopes TBI Support Group at Marianjoy in Wheaton, since Dr. Jay Subarau established the High Hopes Traumatic Brain Injury Support Group at Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital.

I was still in a wheelchair at the time, so I was wheeled over to the Cafeteria to attend the first High Hopes TBI meeting, downstairs at the Marianjoy Center. The first High Hopes meeting started at 7:00 p.m. in the evening, on the second Tuesday, in June 1979.

High Hopes TBI Support Group promotes hope for the future, while thinking of positive thoughts and ideas for recovery. To me, High Hopes represents a TBI support group in hopes that TBI patients do better on their journey to recovery.

Since my traumatic brain injury in 1979, I had broken my armcast on the right side at Marianjoy. I remember being on a wheelchair and learning to walk outside, while watching the mallard ducks outside the Marianjoy Rehabilitation Center. In 2009, I celebrate my 30th anniversary from recovery of a traumatic brain injury with treatment and rehabilitation at Marianjoy Rehabilitation Healthcare Center in Wheaton, Illinois, USA.

CPR/AED for Family and Friends at the Iowa Community Center, sponsored by the Villa Park Fire Department and the American Heart Association

Marianjoy's Labyrinth at the Franciscan Healthcare Center in Wheaton

Rosave Handy with daughter Edie Corbly, and sons Brett and Henry Hochstatter