A voice for the voiceless

By U.S. Sen. Angus King
(I-Maine)

    Last summer, the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge took the Internet – and really, the whole country – by storm. The money raised most certainly had a tremendous impact, but the debilitating effects of this terrible disease linger on.
    But thankfully, the ALS Community got some good news from the U.S. Senate.

    We can’t seem to agree on a whole lot here in the world’s greatest deliberative body, but this week, we came together to unanimously pass an important piece of legislation that will help give a voice back to those who have been silenced by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis – or ALS. The Steve Gleason Act of 2015, named for former professional football player Steve Gleason, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2011 and has since lost the ability to speak, would make it easier for ALS patients to access speech generating devices (SGDs) and help them to live more independent lives.
    The ability to communicate is one of our most cherished and important abilities, but when ALS robs people of a voice, it can be devastating. Speech generating devices allow ALS patients to regain their voices and connect with their family and friends as they did before – a true triumph of modern medicine. These devices change lives, and they need to be more accessible. By removing existing barriers in current federal regulations that often make it difficult to acquire SGDs, the Steve Gleason Act would help empower many people and help give hope in the face of formidable odds.
    I decided to co-sponsor the Steve Gleason Act some time ago because, like many people, I have witnessed the relentless and heartbreaking effects of ALS first hand. The disease took my friend Joe Mayo – a tireless public servant who was Clerk of the Maine House of Representatives. And Craig Munro, my friend from high school football, continues to fight ALS today.
    As we continue to search for a cure to ALS, it’s imperative that we work to improve quality of life for patients and help them maintain their independence. That’s why this bill is so important, and why I hope the U.S. House of Representatives will quickly bring it to the floor and pass it.
    Fighters like Steve Gleason serve as an inspiration and we must match their strength and courage with a steady resolve and an unwavering commitment to give a voice to the voiceless. They are in the fight of their lives, and now more than ever, they need us in their corner.