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Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton (D-VA) spoke on the House floor to recognize PSP Awareness Month. Wexton shared the story of her personal journey batling PSP and the urgent need to raise awareness of the rare disease. Due to complications from her condition, Wexton delivered the remarks via a text-to-speech app.

“I share the personal details of my journey with PSP not because I want to be told how inspiring I am or for you to feel sorry for me. I speak about what I’m going through because there are tens of thousands of other Americans out there who are fighting the same battles I am, and many of their loved ones, colleagues, and neighbors are having similar struggles with how to deal with the rapid and scary changes happening to the person that they know and love,” said Rep. Wexton.

A video of Wexton’s floor speech can be viewed here

Wexton has led a PSP Awareness Week of Action this week, including leading a bipartisan resolution recognizing May as PSP Awareness Month and hosting a briefing for Capitol Hill staff on PSP and the challenges in diagnosing and treating the disease.

Wexton is believed to be the first Member of the House to use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), which she first did earlier this month speaking in favor of her legislation to rename a post office in her district after Secretary Madeleine Albright.

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