Hearing that a loved one has been injured or killed is the most devastating news a person can ever receive. One woman, Carmela Wiant, from Ohio has worked hard to make sure parents don’t have to suffer through the same experience she had when she received news of her son’s, David Christopher Money’s, death.
According to Wiant’s website, David Money passed away after getting into a car accident from hydroplaning. The Chaplain informed Wiant over the phone of her son’s death. As traumatic as this information can be, Wiant thought there should be another, more humane, way of communicating this information to parents. She wanted a chance to say goodbye or be with her son before he died.
A few months after her son’s death, Wiant started lobbying for a bill so that people could be informed of a loved one’s death in the proper way. The Money-Burge Act (also known as “Next Of Kin” Bill), in memory of David Money and Steve Burge, allows people to add an emergency contact’s information right onto their driver’s license. This addition to the license allows the first responders on the scene of an accident to contact the next of kin so they can be with the accident victim a lot sooner.
Wiant describes what she went through while lobbying for the bill on her website. She wrote, “The process of doing this Bill sometimes was very emotional, very stressful and sometimes I just wanted to quit, but every time I would look at my Son’s picture I would say ?What if the tables were turned and they told him this way’?”
What do you think of the Money-Burge Act put in place by Carmela Wiant?
Do you think other states should follow Ohio’s lead and pass bills similar to this one?
God Bless you and your family....and never give up.
taraware::
on Jan 28, 2010
Perhaps she was not in the same city or state as her child when he was in the accident? That would explain why she got a phone call instead of a police officer at the door.
ponderingprincess::
on Apr 29, 2010
I think its a good idea, I hope it all works out.
fryshannon34::
on Sep 01, 2010
I think this is an excaellent idea.I have often wondered what woiuld happen if I or my husband were to be in an accident and how we would be informed of it
darcypearl::
on Sep 10, 2010
YES! I think this is a awsome thing to support and go for in EVERY state!!!! I know how hard it is to lose someone and to be there for your loved one to me and odvisly alot of other people, is something that needs to be done especially if that person is still alive and has last moments with someone special or close to them , a family member or a good friend, if it were me i wouldnt be as skard and i would want someone there for me at my last moments-think of how you would feel.....
bonbon2007::
on Sep 25, 2010
I support the idea totally,i think family should be notified ASAP when somethign like that happens,hope you all be well..
gretchenfarricker::
on Oct 14, 2010
I am 100% behind this! I know that during most circumstances, an accident can happen within a few miles from home, but in some situations, while traveling such as on vacation, you are miles from home and aren't as likely to be in an area where information is as accessible for EMT's and paramedics to contact loved ones and family members in case of an emergency. I believe that this would hinder any confusion and would enable for emergency personnel to contact the proper people to ensure them of the health and well being of their loved one or of their demise. I believe that it would not only save time, but that it would also allow for those family members of the accident victim to get to them quicker.
