Latest News from Barbara & Joe July 27, 2009: They introduced this legislation as an amendment to the Defense Authorization Bill (funding the defense budget) and also as a stand alone bill. Since the committee decided not to include it in the defense budget, they will now go forward with the stand alone bill. That means the Veteran's Affairs Committee will be considering it all by itself. So, now they will start pitching it to members of Congress, veteran's groups, etc. to try to get support. While it would have been easier to attach it to the budget, they plan to move on from here and are still optimistic. This is Senate Bill S.1467. We are disappointed that the first try failed but we have high hopes that success is still within our grasp. We continue to support this legislation and hope that it will help those who suffer from traumatic reactions to military vaccinations. We encourage each of you to write your Congressman/woman and ask for their support. God bless our troops. Barbara & Joe

September 2, 2009 ~ Update

Read the latest media coverage! The August 30th article is entitled "Missouri veteran injured by vaccine ineligible for benefit." Click here...

July 27, 2009 ~ Update

This Defense Budget amendment was shot down in committee - Barbara Lopez added the story to CNN's iReport.

Click here to view and/or comment.

Every Marine family needs to hear the story of Lance Corporal Josef Lopez and his mother, Barbara Lopez - their strength, optimism and perseverance in the face of adversity serve as inspiration for us all.

A battle that began when Josef was paralyzed and nearly died from a smallpox vaccination has made its way to the U.S. Senate.

Joe arrived in Iraq in 2006 and, like all Marines, he knew he could be injured while deployed. Still, no one expected the injury would result from a pre-deployment immunization.

Because service members injured by an adverse reaction to a vaccination were not wounded as a direct result of combat, they do not qualify for certain benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs. In other words, Marines wounded in combat can be awarded money to help cover expenses related to their injury – such as building wheelchair ramps - but Joe does not qualify for the same benefits.

Fortunately, a defense bill pending before the Senate could change that. Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill introduced an amendment to the defense bill that would make Joe, and others like him, eligible for benefits they had previously been denied.

Barbara tells Marine Parents, “We are very proud of this amendment, and our Congresswoman (Claire McCaskill) who is introducing it. Our hope is that it will help make life easier for those who are injured by adverse reactions for years to come.”

See the media coverage below for more on the amendment: For Marine Corps Times coverage, Click here...

For Ozarks First coverage, including video, Click here...

When it comes to involvement with Marine Parents and the associated outreach programs, it’s hard to compete with the Lopez list!

Joe and Barbara have participated in Operation PAL™ and Purple Heart Family Support™. They have shared their story at Marine Parents Conferences and they have helped pack care packages to send to Marines in combat zones through The Care Package Project™.

Joe and Barbara have even shown their dedication to fundraising and awareness through participation in Team Marine Parents™!

Would you like to read more about Joe? More about Barbara? See their bio pages:

Click here for Joe’s Bio Page...

Click here for Barbara’s Bio Page...

Would you like to show your support by making a donation toward their Purple Heart Family Support™ fundraising goals?

Use the online donation form and choose Joe or Barbara Lopez in the drop-down menu.

Click here to donate...