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 |
Listed below are the advocates involved in Ryan's case and a brief time line which outlines when and how they became involved. |
Pat Fero, Executive Director - |
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. |
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 |