Parents share their pain to win support for Dillon's Law
It's called Dillon's Law and it would allow more individuals to administer life-saving injections to anyone experiencing an allergic reaction.
Twenty-nine months after losing their son to a severe allergic reaction, George and Angel Mueller went before the Assembly Committee on Health and spoke of their pain.
“Imagine having to pick out a casket for the youngest of your three sons, calling six of his best friends to be pallbearers and choosing the clothes he will wear forever,” said Angel Mueller.
Eighteen-year-old Dillon Mueller died in 2014 from anaphylactic shock caused by a bee sting.
“As I stared down at Dillon in the ICU hospital bed in a coma on life support, I made the decision I was going to do everything within my power to make sure no other family has to endure the tragedy we are enduring,” Angel told lawmakers.
After Dillon died a law was passed allowing trained businesses and organizations to obtain and administer life-saving epinephrine in an emergency with auto-injectors commonly known as EpiPen. But that law excluded trained individuals and Angel and George Mueller traveled to Madison this week to support Representative André Jacque's bill - asking that group of potential users now be included.
“Dillon's law expands the opportunity for good samaritans to provide this life-saving care,” said Rep. Jacque. “Extending to all properly trained individuals the ability to be prescribed an auto-injector for emergency use.”
Emergency responders sent to treat Dillon told the committee an EpiPen administered right away would have saved his life.
“This is truly life-saving, truly life-saving,” testified David Murak, assistant fire chief for Two Rivers. “In Dillon's case, he sat too long prior to epinephrine arriving at the scene.”
“Those who are undiagnosed with severe allergies need our help, it could be you, grandchild of someone you love, believe us - you do not want to be in our shoes,” said Angel.
The Mueller's testimony won over the committee, whose members are expected to vote next week on whether or not the proposal should be sent on to full legislature for a vote.