Jerry H. Rice has been with our family since
Oct 2004. He has provided continual support
and advocacy for six years.  

Jerry has advocated for the children and
families of Buncombe County and Western
NC for over 22 years.

Because of the ongoing Department of Social
Services oversight and other potential
problems- including the complexity of this
case;  much of the history behind how Mr.
Rice assisted the Baldwin family and what he
witnessed over a six year period remains both
confidential and under review until a future
date.
Advocacy Matters
Our local advocate -Jerry Rice
Listed below are the  advocates involved in Ryan's case
and a brief time line which outlines when and how they
became involved.
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Pat Fero, Executive Director -   
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On January 23, 2009, Ryan (who was determined
by the Social Security Administration to be
medically disabled since 2004) is  taken into
custody without his wheelchairs (both power and
manual wheelchairs) by the Buncombe County
Department of Social Services.

Pat Fero, who has been with  the family since
2004,  sounds the community advocacy alarm in
early 2009 after Ryan is taken.
Marly Silverman  -Founder of P.A.N.D.O.R.A     
           answers the call to advocacy.
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In  2009
Pat Fero (Wisconsin ME/CFS Association Inc.), together
with local advocate Jerry Rice and Marly Silverman
(Founder of P.A.N.D.O.R.A) rally other individuals and
organizations in  the United States and around the world  
to stand together in support of Ryan and our family.

P.A.N.D.O.R.A. along with Wisconsin ME/CFS
Association Inc. were  able to mobilize an alliance of more
than 23 patient advocacy non-profit organizations.  This
created an awareness campaign that prompted a letter to
Governor Bev Perdue asking her to investigate why the
Department of Social Services (DSS) in Buncombe County,
NC has taken the draconian steps of removing Ryan from
parental care.  

P.A.N.D.O.R.A. and the alliance later wrote letters to
Buncombe County Commissioners, NC State Legislators
and NC Federal legislators on behalf of Ryan and our
family.

Click below to read:
P.A.N.D.O.R.A's website page pertaining to the issue
The advocacy letter addressed to  NC Governor Bev Perdue
"Pictured above are from right to left, Pat Fero,
Executive Director of the Wisconsin CFS
Association, the recipient of the prestigious 2007
Sand Castles Award Female Advocate and Marly
Silverman standing in front of one of the
Caucuses Room at our nation's capital."
    picture and text courtesy of PANDORA