NJ Senate Promotes Rett Syndrome Awareness Day

Imagine living in a world where you can experience life but are never able to speak or walk independently… Every 2 hours a girl is born with Rett Syndrome, yet most people have never heard of it. Rett Syndrome is the only Autism Spectrum Disorder with a known genetic cause.

In recognition of Rett Syndrome Awareness Month, the NJ Senate honored 5 year old Marykate Hornaday of Bernardsville, NJ who suffers from this disorder. Marykate was one of 5 girls who received a Senate proclamation for Rett Syndrome Awareness Day on October 18, 2010. Presiding over the event were Senate President Stephen Sweeney and Senator Christopher Kip Bateman of New Jersey Legislative District 16. Marykate’s disability didn’t stop her from thanking the NJ Senate through the use of an eye gaze computer system. "Her eye gaze computer has opened her world to share how she feels and what she understands with all of us" says Mom, Sharon Lutz, Co-Chairwoman of the Somerset County Childhood Disability Coalition. Sharon Lutz is also the Executive Director of EmPoWER Somerset, a non-profit organization based in Somerville, NJ that offers resources and life skills education to individuals and families within the community.

Click here for more information about Rett Syndrome and the New Jersey Rett Syndrome Association.

Cick here to view the Somerset County Childhood Disability Resource Guide

Click here to visit ChildhoodDisability.com

Contact us for more information about the Somerset County Childhood Disability Coalition