A Letter To Senator Kennedy

Bill's future son-in-law, Matt Manter, expresses the need for support of stem cell research to Senator Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts.

Dear Senator Kennedy,

I would like to take the time to thank you for your support of Senate Bill 63-37 in support of stem cell research.

I'm getting married this September 23rd to a wonderful girl from Danvers, and until recently, we were consumed with the normal pre-wedding concerns of money and making arrangements. However, last March, my fiancées father, Bill MacDonald, was injured while dismantling a crane in Chelmsford. Despite the past months victories of his initial survival, and overcoming the need for a ventilator, Bill is still a quadriplegic as a result of this accident; a simple split second that anybody would give anything to get back.

After some reading, I have discovered that stem cell research holds hope for not only people like Bill suffering from paralysis, but holds possibilities countless other diseases and disabilities people suffer from every day. Even now, I can only begin to realize what these people go through and the obstacles they face every hour or every single day of their lives.

Regardless of President Bush's callous, inhuman veto of a bill that brings hope to so many in so desperate need of it, I will remain an advocate for stem cell research. The strength it takes to do so is such a minute fraction of the strength my future father-in-law, Bill shows every day. Please continue to fight for him, and your other constituents in need.

A Thankful Constituent,
Matt Manter