Before the election I want to highlight a significant legislative effort which Sen. Eloise Vitelli supported: a bill to provide people with brain injuries the protection of their rights, their needs for rehabilitation, and access to a full and meaningful life in their recovery.

This bill adds references to persons with acquired brain injuries to Maine laws providing rights and basic protections to persons with intellectual disabilities or autism, including laws governing grievance procedures.

This effort by people with brain injuries, their families, and supporters took over 10 years to finally gain approval. As a member of the Brain Injury Association of America’s Maine Chapter and father of an adult son who recovered from a traumatic brain injury I can attest to the importance of both this bill and Sen. Vitelli’s role in securing its passage.

Please join me in returning Sen. Vitelli to the Senate.

Richard M. Brown

Dresden