Carter's Story on Omaha CBS Station

Today the CBS news station in Omaha came by my house to do a story on Carter and the bill I’m (we’re) working on getting passed in the Nebraska legislature. The story airs tonight at 10 p.m.

The written part of the story is already up on their website:
http://www.kmtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=7908196

I wish she’d fix the spelling of babies in the first sentence - it’s bugging me. Ha!

Anyway, there is always concern with the media that they’ll edit the clips to be something different or leave out something important. If the video follows the written story, I’m fine with that. But I’m not sure I want to watch it - it was hard for me to read!

Local NBC News Airs Birth Certificate Bill Story

Tonight on the local NBC news station, WOWT Omaha, there was a story about the bill I’ve been working on getting passed in Nebraska, LB1048. It was actually the headliner (the opening news story.)

You can view the video here.

While the woman who was interviewed had a heartbreaking story, her story is not typical of stillbirths. It’s unfortunate that her’s occured due to physical violence - most moms do everything they can to take care of their unborn child and they have an unknown cause.

I appreciate WOWT airing the story to gain awareness but some of the comments on their website that are coming in response to the story alarm me since the story didn’t provide all the facts. People are coming in with questions about abortions and identity theft and other “crap” because they don’t know the full details. I’ve posted my contact info and a response to try and do damage control. You can view the printed story with comments here.

I was mentioned at the end of the story and hope to do a follow up with the reporter when the bill gets out of commitee.

I’m glad we are getting some coverage though!

Making a Difference

The Committee Hearing for LB1048 was today in Lincoln. Four people testified for the bill, 0 neutral, 0 against. Barack Obama was in Omaha today, and yes, Trish, we missed it due to the hearing, but it was worth it. We really are making a difference.

The Senators that heard the bill were very receptive, compassionate - they really listened to us.

We are even getting some wonderful press coverage - and that’s what this is really about. Awareness. Education. And I can’t help but love the fact that my baby Carter is mentioned by name. He’s making a difference. I sobbed as I read the article for the first time (and the second, and the third…)
http://www.journalstar.com/articles/2008/02/07/news/politics/doc47abac5b96493000179281.txt

Thanks to those that sent in their letters of support this far. We’re not done yet - the Committee will discuss and hopefully vote next week to move it forward. But I feel that we’re already making an impact on others’ lives in Nebraska.

Thanks to Senator Nantkes and Julie as well - they continue to be our rockstars.

For Carter and Myles forever.

LB1048 Update

Wanted to give you an update on LB1048 that would issue a certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth as an optional document for parents residing in Nebraska that experience this. See my first blog on this for the details.

The Committee Hearing for the bill is Thursday, February 7th. Letters of support can be submitted to Senator Nantkes, the bill sponsor. Better yet, you can send your letter of support to all those on the Health & Human Services Committee that will be hearing the bill.

A generic letter of support is located at the following link:
http://www.devonandbrandyshow.com/nemissingangelsbill/Generic%20Letter%20of%20Support%20LB1048.doc

Feel free to customize by adding personal experiences or your thoughts. On the second page of the letter is the contact information for all of those on the Committee, as well as Senator Nantkes. This is especially important if one of the Senators on the HHS committee is YOUR Senator. (How to find out who your Senator is: http://www.nebraskalegislature.gov/web/public/senators/find)

I truly appreciate all of those that posted a reply to my blog this far. Now if we can get those messages in front of the Senators - that would be really special!

Thanks in advance for your support.