Reps. Terry Brown, Booher, Byrnes, Constan, Cushingberry, Dean, Durhal, Geiss, Gonzales, Gregory, Hammel, Robert Jones, Lahti, Lemmons, Liss, Lori, Marleau, Mayes, Meltzer, Opsommer, Pearce, Polidori, Proos, Slavens, Smith, Spade, Valentine and Leland offered the following resolution:

House Resolution No. 82.

A resolution commemorating May 2009 as Dandy-Walker Syndrome and Hydrocephalus Awareness Month in the state of Michigan.

            Whereas, The Dandy Walker Alliance, Inc. is the only national organization focusing on promoting the public good and supporting education, informational activities and non-partisan research that increases public awareness of the congenital birth defect known as Dandy-Walker Syndrome; and

            Whereas, Dandy-Walker Syndrome is the most common congenital malformation of the cerebellum and its causes are largely unknown; and

            Whereas, Between 10,000 and 40,000 people have Dandy-Walker Syndrome in the United States; and

            Whereas, The incidence of Dandy-Walker Syndrome is at least one case per every 25,000 to 35,000 live births, however this is likely a significant underestimate because of difficulties diagnosing this syndrome; and

            Whereas, The Metropolitan Atlanta Congenital Defects Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that Dandy-Walker Syndrome may affect as many as 1 in 5,000 live births; and

Whereas, Patients with Dandy-Walker Syndrome present with developmental delay, enlarged head circumference, or signs and symptoms of hydrocephalus; and

Whereas, Dandy-Walker Syndrome affects males and females approximately equally; and

Whereas, Seizures occur in 15 to 30 percent of patients with Dandy-Walker Syndrome; and

Whereas, Subnormal intelligence is manifested in 41 to 71 percent of patients with Dandy-Walker Syndrome; and

Whereas, Failure to diagnose Dandy-Walker Syndrome with hydrocephalus in a Neonate or child can cause serious neurologic complications; and

Whereas, Approximately 70 to 90 percent of patients with Dandy-Walker Syndrome have hydrocephalus; and

Whereas, Dandy-Walker Syndrome accounts for approximately 1 to 4 percent of hydrocephalus cases; and

Whereas, Hydrocephalus is a serious neurological condition, characterized by the abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluids in the ventricles of the brain; and

Whereas, There is no known cure for hydrocephalus; and

Whereas, Hydrocephalus affects an estimated one million Americans: and

Whereas, Over 375,000 older Americans have hydrocephalus, which often goes undetected or is misdiagnosed as dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, or Parkinson’s disease; and

Whereas, With appropriate diagnosis and treatment, people with hydrocephalus are able to live full and productive lives; and

Whereas, The standard treatment for hydrocephalus was developed in 1952, and carries multiple risks including shunt failure, infection, and over drainage; now, therefore, be it

 Resolved by the House of Representatives,  That members of this legislative body commemorate  the month of May 2009 as the Dandy-Walker Syndrome and Hydrocephalus Awareness Month the state of in Michigan; and be it further

Resolved, All Americans should learn about Dandy-Walker Syndrome and hydrocephalus and recognize the achievements of all disabled Americans, the important role that disabled Americans played throughout the entire history of the United States, and the scientific, literary, and social impact of disabled Americans on our world today; and be it further

Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to Dandy-Walker Alliance, Inc. and Ms. Katelyn Dekoski.