44 LONGISLANDPRESS.COM • APRIL 2019
FAMILY & EDUCATION
FORMER LAWMAKER HARVEY WEISENBERG PUBLISHES AUTOBIOGRAPHY
continued from page 47
“I am one of the happiest people I
know,” he writes in the book. “I didn’t
always win. I got into fights within my
own party’s leadership—still do—and
I’ve been double-crossed more than
once … But I never stopped trying, and
I’m glad I didn’t.”
Weisenberg says that his greatest
achievement is meeting the love of his
life, Ellen, and her son, Ricky.
They met one magical summer when
he was a lifeguard. She was accompanied
by her children — son Ricky
and two daughters, Julie and Vickie.
Though her beauty did not go unnoticed,
Weisenberg says he was drawn
to Ellen’s kind, caring and patient
nature, especially with Ricky.
“The love that she was giving this child,”
he recalls. “It just touched me. I honestly
believe that God gave me an angel, a
saint and a mission. Ricky is the angel,
my wife was the saint, and my mission
is doing everything I can to help people
— and that’s the God’s honest truth.”
The family enjoyed “simple things
in life — the beach, concerts outside,
summer on the boardwalk,” he says.
Weisenberg was fascinated by Ricky’s
effect on others.
“I got to know him,” he says. “He has
intelligence. He can’t speak or cry,
but his presence was surely felt by all.
Some would bless him, others would
turn away.”
Weisenberg saw firsthand not only
how things could go wrong — Ricky
was abused while institutionalized
— but also how they could go right, as
many caregivers showed Ricky love
and support and care in spite of not
being appropriately compensated for
their work.
“They do the tasks no one else wants
to do,” Weisenberg says. He became
the “voice of people who did not have
a voice.”
The Weisenbergs also established
the Weisenberg Foundation, a nonprofit
organization that supports
and advocates for people with
special needs, their families and
caregivers.
Weisenberg used his professional
position and passion to rally for the
cause.
Adam’s Law requires safety restraints
in taxicabs and delivery vehicles
to be clearly visible, properly
maintained and easily accessible for
passengers.
Louis’ Law requires that life-saving
defibrillators be available in schools.
Jonathan's Law requires residential
care facilities to notify and inform
parents and legal guardians of children
and adults receiving services
of incidents involving their loved
ones.
In 2013, Weisenberg fought Gov. Andrew
Cuomo to restore $90 million
of previously eliminated funds to the
state budget to support the disabled
population.
In 2018, he secured $45 million in
funding in the state budget for direct
support professionals who care for
developmentally disabled individuals.
The average salary for these workers
increased from $9 per hour to $14 an
hour.
Weisenberg says it is critical to forever
create awareness.
“The real heroes are the families that
came forward to bring these issues to
the forefront,” he asserts.
“I didn’t always win … But I never stopped
trying, and I’m glad I didn’t,”
writes Harvey Weisenberg.
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