2016 -- H 8260

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LC006021

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

HONORING ELLEN LENOX SMITH FOR HER COMPASSION, COURAGE, ADVOCACY

AND LEADERSHIP

     Introduced By: Representatives Slater, Edwards, Chippendale, Diaz, and Marcello

     Date Introduced: May 26, 2016

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Ellen Lenox Smith is an accomplished public school teacher of 28 years, a

small farmer, and was a competitive swimmer and coach, who was diagnosed with two

debilitating incurable medical conditions in 2004; and

      WHEREAS, Ellen's medical conditions produced extreme disabling and unrelenting

pain and prevented her body from metabolizing conventional pain medications; and

      WHEREAS, Ellen's physician recommended medical marijuana as a last resort to ease

her suffering and Ellen overcame her skepticism to learn about this treatment; and

      WHEREAS, Medical marijuana successfully alleviated much of Ellen's suffering and

improved her quality of life; and

      WHEREAS, Ellen reached out to physicians and other Rhode Island patients to support

and educate them regarding the legally effective use of medical marijuana; and

      WHEREAS, Ellen and her husband, Stuart, became caregivers for ten patients suffering

from debilitating medical conditions; and

      WHEREAS, Ellen works tirelessly to raise awareness about her rare medical condition,

Ehlers Danos Syndrome, in both the medical and patient community so that others will receive

earlier diagnosis and treatment; and

      WHEREAS, Ellen generously donates her time and skills as an advocate and board

member of Rhode Island Patient Advocacy Coalition (RIPAC), is an ambassador for the Rhode

Island Arthritis Foundation and for the U.S. Pain Foundation, and is a writer and educator for the

Rhode Island Ehlers Danos Support Group; and

      WHEREAS, Ellen has worked on both the federal and state level to raise awareness

about the challenges of our citizens whose lives are compromised by chronic pain; and

      WHEREAS, In spite of her often fragile health and complications, Ellen has generously

utilized her own challenges to inform, inspire, and care for others; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby recognizes and honors Ellen Lenox Smith for her compassion,

courage, advocacy and leadership; and be it further

      RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Ellen Lenox Smith.

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LC006021

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