Abilities Council seeks to help those with disabilities

New North Brunswick committee to collect donated equipment

BY SUSANNE MORELLI Staff Writer

SUSANNE MORELLI Diane Gruskowski donated her daughter Danielle's wheelchair to the North Brunswick Abilities Council last week. Danielle passed away in 2002 due to complications from Rhett syndrome. SUSANNE MORELLI Diane Gruskowski donated her daughter Danielle’s wheelchair to the North Brunswick Abilities Council last week. Danielle passed away in 2002 due to complications from Rhett syndrome. NORTH BRUNSWICK – The North Brunswick Abilities Council held its first open house June 18.

The event was set up to introduce the Abilities Council to the residents of North Brunswick and to educate them, recruit members, promote volunteerism and speak to residents about getting involved in the community. In addition, committee members will be taught about the special needs of people with disabilities, including those who are in financial need.

The council will assist the township in protecting disabled citizens in making sure that they are receiving all the benefits of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, which includes making suggestions as to how the township and businesses working within the township may better implement the act. The objective is to increase public awareness and focus attention on the importance and significance of people with disabilities in the North Brunswick community through improving public services in an environment for change today and in the future, according to the committee’s Vision Statement.

North Brunswick resident Robin Turner led the discussion at the meeting. Turner’s sister, Diane Gruskowski, had a daughter, Danielle, who was the inspiration for Danielle’s Law.

Danielle Gruskowski, 32, suffered from Rhett syndrome, a neurological disorder that affects motor movements and the ability to communicate. She passed away on Nov. 4, 2002, after caretakers at her Edison group home failed to identify multiple symptoms as life threatening and did not call 911. Danielle’s Law was set up to save the lives of persons with developmental disabilities or traumatic brain injury in a life-threatening emergency.

Gruskowski donated Danielle’s wheelchair to the Abilities Committee.

Another law that was brought to attention by the council was Stephen’s Law. Stephen’s Law was named after Stephen Griscti, of North Brunswick, who broke his femur in 2000, when he fell over in an accident. The law, which is pending in the N.J. Legislature, will help assure the proper installation of wheelchair tiedowns and seat-belt securements in vehicles used to transport people with disabilities as well as assure adequate training for staff who care for the disabled.

The Abilities Council announced that it is working on setting up two projects. The first is the Abilities Project, a donation program for North Brunswick’s needy citizens who require medical equipment such as a wheelchair, standing table, amplification phone, commode, etc., and who cannot afford to purchase these items. The second project is the first Disabilities Awareness Day for the residents of North Brunswick and surrounding communities. The council hopes to hold the event annually.

Turner said the Abilities Council of North Brunswick is made up of concerned citizens, who, by example, are devoted to building strong relationships within the North Brunswick community, with a wish to deliver outstanding value to its North Brunswick citizens. She urged residents to join but advised, “We would like to talk with the person first to obtain some background and dedication to the cause before making a decision.”

The Abilities Council will meet in the municipal building council room at 710 Hermann Road. For more information, contact Turner, Councilwoman Rhonda Lyles or DPW Director Glenn Sandor at 732-247-0922 ext. 619 or e-mail AbilitiesCouncil@ northbrunswickonline.com.