Washington, DC – Two Michigan children took part in a tribute to Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) last night in Washington. 11-year-old Pippi and 9-year-old Georgi Forbes of Flushing, Michigan presented Congressman Dingell with The Children’s Inn’s “Lifetime Achievement Award for the Advancement of Healthcare.” Pippi and Georgi suffer from a hereditary disease, osteogenesis imperfect (OI), sometimes referred to as Brittle Bone Disease. Both children received treatment for OI as part of a research study at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Children’s Inn became their home away from home during this time. Below are a portion of the Congressman’s remarks as prepared.
“For the past 20 years, The Children’s Inn at NIH has provided more than just health care for children facing life-threatening illnesses. The Inn has provided each child with the comforts of home, the love and joy of family, and the ability for kids to be kids.
“The Inn has provided this wonderful care for not only families like the Forbes family in Michigan and throughout our nation, but for families all around the world.
“The Inn has changed how we look at treatments for life-threatening illnesses for children. With over 59 sleeping rooms, a playroom, kids computer room, game room, learning center, arts and crafts studio, and much more, it has given each child the sense of freedom to continue their childhood.
“Not only has The Inn provided a great facility for treatment, it has also provided a support group for all different families sharing in the same fear and concern for their children. For most families and children, these support groups have turned into long lasting friendships.
“Let me also mention how proud I am of the fine research and treatment being done at the National Institutes of Health. Their work is not only directly benefitting the families of the Inn. They are leading research into some of the most debilitating and prevalent diseases affecting our people.
“And, NIH has allowed University of Michigan researchers to continue their groundbreaking work in fighting the diseases threatening all of us. I have long supported this great institution and am proud of the work they have done and revel in the promise of the work currently underway.
“Knowing the fear and constant worry of someone you love having a life-threatening illness, I have been fighting for affordable health care for all Americans since the day I walked into congress.
“The Children’s Inn at NIH and our nation’s new health care reform legislation has given me a better since of hope and encouragement for providing affordable health care for all Americans.
“Under our nation’s new health care reform legislation, it provides affordable coverage for all Americans, through the largest middle-class health care tax credit in history, and providing more choices of health insurance options.
“It will hold health insurers accountable and ends the practice of insurance companies denying coverage due to pre-existing conditions, prohibits rescissions of coverage, and will eliminate lifetime caps on coverage.
“We were also able to pass the Children’s Health Insurance Program reauthorization in 2009, which has ensured 11 million children to receive health coverage and provide health care coverage for children in families that earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, but not enough to afford private insurance.
“This has been a successful and cost-effective way of providing health-care for uninsured kids.
“Health care in this country should be a right, and not a privilege. People should not be burdened with the idea of whether or not they can afford to stay healthy.
“This is why I am encouraged at the work that The Children’s Inn at NIH has done for the past 20 years and the work this congress, senate, and administration has done to pass the health care reform legislation. I believe that this country is headed in the right direction to help provide affordable health care for all Americans.”
Joining Pippi and Georgi at the event was their mother Jane Forbes, who spent 33 years as a physical therapist for the Michigan public schools, before she adopted the two children from Bulgaria.
Since it opened in 1990 on the NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland, The Children’s Inn has treated 10,000 seriously ill children and their families have made 40,000 visits to The Inn. NIH is the world's premier biomedical research facility. Children receive treatment for illnesses such as cancer, heart, lung, blood, bone and growth disorders, mental illnesses, and HIV infection. The research study the Forbes family has been involved in is at the National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development, one of 27 institutes at NIH.
Congressman Dingell took a lead role in the NIH reauthorization fight in 2006. During the current Congress, he helped secure an additional $10 billion dollars for NIH in the Recovery Act.
Congressman Dingell receives The Children’s Inn’s “Lifetime Achievement Award for the Advancement of Healthcare” from 11-year-old Pippi and 9-year-old Georgi Forbes of Flushing, MI. (courtesy of The Children’s Inn/NIH)
