Rory’s Law -- major effort underway to ensure kids kept safe in ER

New proposed law would force doctors to share blood tests, lab results

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Rory Staunton

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The Stauntons, residents of Sunnyside, Queens, have been trying to pick up the pieces since bringing their first born child back to Orlaith’s hometown of Drogheda, Co. Louth, for burial alongside his grandparents. But knowing that their son was disastrously misdiagnosed has made the healing process that much harder, they say.

“We live with this tragedy every day, 24 hours a day. It will never end for us. Ever,” Staunton said.

The dynamic life that Rory lived was highlighted by The New York Times, both in Dwyer’s piece and a Sunday op-ed column by Maureen Dowd, who reached out to hero airplane pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, an idol of aspiring aviator Rory. Sullenberger, who miraculously guided a US Airways flight onto the surface of the Hudson River in 2009, saving 155 lives in the process, is an advocate for patient safety standards in hospitals, and has contacted the Staunton family to offer support.

On Wednesday, July 18, the Today show will feature a segment about Rory’s death in its 8 a.m. hour. The Stauntons will talk about the shocking loss of their boy who not only wanted to fly above the world, but was also determined to make it a better place through his interest in politics and civil rights.

Septic shock awareness has increased dramatically since the Times articles and other media coverage, and the Stauntons have taken some solace knowing that Rory’s tragedy will unquestionably help to save lives in the future.

“We now know of many emergency rooms throughout the country who have taken Jim Dwyer’s article and used it as a tool to improve their patient practices,” said Staunton, who also created a website,www.rorystaunton.com, both as a tribute to his son and as a portal to highlight septic shock awareness.

“Things will change. They have to. But they won’t change for us, unfortunately.  Our Rory was destined for great things, and now he’ll never have the chance to realize his dreams.”

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