HR 9067

1	House Resolution
2	A resolution recognizing August 2009 as "Spinal Muscular
3	Atrophy Awareness Month" in the State of Florida.
4
5	WHEREAS, Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a rare autosomal
6	genetic disease found mainly in newborns and children that
7	affects the spinal nerves and causes weakness, especially in the
8	muscles closest to the spine, and
9	WHEREAS, SMA is a motor neuron disease, affecting the
10	voluntary muscles that are used for activities such as crawling,
11	walking, head and neck control, and swallowing, and
12	WHEREAS, SMA is a relatively common "rare disorder,"
13	affecting approximately one in 6,000 babies born, with about one
14	in 40 people being genetic carriers, and
15	WHEREAS, SMA affects muscles throughout the body, although
16	the proximal muscles are often the most severely affected and
17	weakness in the legs is generally greater than in the arms, and
18	WHEREAS, the disease's effect on the respiratory muscles
19	can lead to an increased tendency for pneumonia and other lung
20	problems, and
21	WHEREAS, intellectual activity is unaffected by SMA, and it
22	is often observed that patients with SMA are unusually bright
23	and sociable, and
24	WHEREAS, in order for a child to be affected by SMA, both
25	parents must be carriers of the abnormal gene and both must pass
26	the gene on to their child, and
27	WHEREAS, even if both parents are carriers of the gene, the
28	probability of a child inheriting the disorder is 25 percent,
29	and
30	WHEREAS, SMA crosses all racial, ethnic, and gender
31	boundaries and, although it is primarily diagnosed in children,
32	it can affect people of any age, and
33	WHEREAS, Families of SMA, a grassroots organization, is
34	diligently working to help raise both awareness and funding for
35	research, education, advocacy, and patient services for SMA and
36	those who suffer from it, and
37	WHEREAS, there are currently two chapters of Families of
38	SMA in Florida, the South Florida Chapter and the Greater
39	Florida Chapter, serving individuals and family members affected
40	by Spinal Muscular Atrophy, and
41	WHEREAS, individuals and organizations that bring greater
42	awareness to physical health issues, and assist people in their
43	quest to overcome these obstacles, are a great benefit to the
44	health and welfare of all citizens, NOW, THEREFORE,
45
46	Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of
47	Florida:
48
49	That August 2009 is recognized as "Spinal Muscular Atrophy
50	Awareness Month" in the State of Florida.

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.