Spiritual, Strong, Courageous, and Determined......Rasul "Rocky" Clark
On September 15, 2000, 16 year old Rasul “Rocky” Clark was a starting running back for Eisenhower High School located in Blue Island, Illinois. While playing Oak Forest High School, four plays into the game, Rocky was tackled and suffered two broken vertebrae in his neck and a devastating spinal cord injury. Rocky Clark’s life changed from the instant he was hit. He was paralyzed from the neck down. After this catastrophic injury, Rocky and his mom Annette, were told by his school that he would be well taken care of through the insurance policy that they carry for all of their students at Eisenhower High School. For almost ten years, Rocky had excellent care with around the clock nurses in his home, access to pain medication, prescription drugs and medical supplies.
In August of 2010, Rocky, 26 years old, received a letter (which can be found below) stating that the $5 million insurance policy that covered him had reached its lifetime maximum and “has come to an end.” The benefits that he was receiving, that kept him alive and that helped him surpass life expectancy for most quadriplegics was no longer going to help him live. Rocky says “I was told that I would be taken care of for the rest of my life. Now it seems that I’m being penalized for living too long.” Rocky found himself being supported by Medicaid and limited support from the state. Rocky, with the constant help of his mother Annette who never left his side, was able to be weaned off of his ventilator and was eventually admitted to college. Rocky’s collegiate aspirations were cut short by him being suddenly denied coverage from his former health care provider.
The issue with Rocky Clark being denied health care because of a cap that was imposed on him by his health provider is a justice issue, all life is valuable before God, and as we all know “but for the grace God go I.”
We feel that school districts in the State of Illinois and around the country have a moral responsibility to take care of their athletes that suffer catastrophic injuries for the rest of their lives.
Although Rocky is no longer with us, his fighting Spirit lives on! We must continue the fight that Rocky and Annette started by picking up the mantle that they held for so long by passing the "Rocky Clark Bill". The "Rocky Clark Bill" would require a lifetime of insurance benefits for high school athletes who suffer catastrophic injuries while participating in school related activities.
Together we can be God’s hands and feet by supporting the "Rocky Clark Bill"!!
In August of 2010, Rocky, 26 years old, received a letter (which can be found below) stating that the $5 million insurance policy that covered him had reached its lifetime maximum and “has come to an end.” The benefits that he was receiving, that kept him alive and that helped him surpass life expectancy for most quadriplegics was no longer going to help him live. Rocky says “I was told that I would be taken care of for the rest of my life. Now it seems that I’m being penalized for living too long.” Rocky found himself being supported by Medicaid and limited support from the state. Rocky, with the constant help of his mother Annette who never left his side, was able to be weaned off of his ventilator and was eventually admitted to college. Rocky’s collegiate aspirations were cut short by him being suddenly denied coverage from his former health care provider.
The issue with Rocky Clark being denied health care because of a cap that was imposed on him by his health provider is a justice issue, all life is valuable before God, and as we all know “but for the grace God go I.”
We feel that school districts in the State of Illinois and around the country have a moral responsibility to take care of their athletes that suffer catastrophic injuries for the rest of their lives.
Although Rocky is no longer with us, his fighting Spirit lives on! We must continue the fight that Rocky and Annette started by picking up the mantle that they held for so long by passing the "Rocky Clark Bill". The "Rocky Clark Bill" would require a lifetime of insurance benefits for high school athletes who suffer catastrophic injuries while participating in school related activities.
Together we can be God’s hands and feet by supporting the "Rocky Clark Bill"!!
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Make a difference TODAY!
Visit the following links to get started! Contact Your Legislator
Letter Terminating Rocky's Medical Benefits
Questions? Please Contact Us
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