1Designating the week of September 15 through 21, 2013, as
2"National Rehabilitation Awareness Celebration Week" in
3Pennsylvania.

4WHEREAS, Rehabilitation is a medical specialty which helps
5restore people affected by potentially disabling disease or
6traumatic injury to good health and functional, productive lives
7and also helps minimize physical or cognitive disabilities; and

8WHEREAS, Rehabilitation often centers on an interdisciplinary
9team approach to care by physiatrists; physical, occupational,
10respiratory and recreational therapists; speech and language
11pathologists; rehabilitation nurses; psychologists; vocational
12counselors and other professionals who work with patients to
13restore the greatest level of function or independence; and

14WHEREAS, The rehabilitation team helps individuals overcome
15obstacles and accomplish normal tasks of daily living; and

1WHEREAS, Because disability does not discriminate and every
2person is at risk of disability, everyone is a potential
3candidate for rehabilitation; and

4WHEREAS, Nearly 50 million Americans have a disability and
5most Americans will require at least one rehabilitation service
6at some point in their lives; and

7WHEREAS, Rehabilitation is an integral part of health care
8and a tremendous component in providing patients with positive
9outcomes; and

10WHEREAS, Rehabilitation is individualized so every patient
11can progress at his or her own ability level; and

12WHEREAS, Rehabilitation can lengthen life, improve the
13quality of life and reduce subsequent illness; and

14WHEREAS, Statistics show that medical rehabilitation improves
15lives and saves money; and

16WHEREAS, People participating in rehabilitation programs of
17care are able to regain productivity and return to work, school
18and independent living; and

19WHEREAS, For every $1 spent on rehabilitation care, it is
20estimated that $11 are saved on long-term disability costs; and

21WHEREAS, Independence gained or retained through
22rehabilitation is priceless; therefore be it

23RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate
24September 15 through 21, 2013, as "National Rehabilitation
25Awareness Celebration Week" in Pennsylvania and encourage all
26citizens to renew their commitment to people with disabilities
27and to the efforts of rehabilitative medicine improving the
28quality of life.