A New Year, A New Resolution, A New Law!

With a new year spread out before us, we find ourselves coping with the grief of a lost granddaughter and the resolve of insuring that Heavenlee's Law will finally get beyond the stupidity of our legislators in the Indiana General Assembly and finally make it into law.

For 3 years now, we have watched as various permutations of Heavenlee's Law have languished on the floor of the Indiana House and Senate while our lawmakers wring their hands and bemoan the sadness of it all. Meanwhile, nothing gets done...

No more!!!

With this year, we resolve to see that things move forward and that action is finally taken on this issue.

In the prior two years, we were constrained by impediments placed before us by the birth-mother. Those impediments now lie in the grave and we will not be denied our Justice for Heavenlee.

The promise we made to her on Christmas Day, 2009 at her bedside will be honored and fulfilled, especially now, given her passing and the fact that our anger has not waned these past several years.

Per Ardua Ad Alta!!!

James & Amanda Wallace

We Love You Heavenlee!!!

Today was probably the worst day possible for us as grandparents. We attended the services for Heavenlee today and as services go, it was pretty good. Seeing our beloved granddaughter lying there, looking very much like a porcelain doll was the most difficult thing we have ever done as grandparents. We Love her and will miss her for the rest of our days here on Earth!

Heavenlee Angel Skie Johns (2004-2012)

It's very difficult to find anything to be thankful for today. Last night at 1:07am, our grandaughter, Heavenlee Angel Skie Johns passed away at the age of 8 from complications associated with her accident 3 years ago. I can't begin to express my sorrow, as well as my wife Amanda's at losing such a precious part of our lives. We were permitted to visit her last night, knowing that she would soon leave us and we are grateful for being allowed to say goodbye to Heavenlee. My only comfort is that we will be surrounded by loving family members today as we gather to remember the  good times Heavenlee brought to our lives. Cooking the Thanksgiving dinner has been a help in taking my mind off of just how very sad I feel right now. In the coming days, we will begin to heal and move forward, making sure never to forget just how wonderful a granddaughter she truly was.

Progress at Last!!!!

I am most pleased to report that Senate Bill 0213 and House Bill 1038 are now a part of the 2012 General Assembly Session. Please take a moment to contact Senator Tim Skinner (s38@iga.in.gov) and Representative Clyde Kersey (h43@in.gov) to express your support for insuring  the safety of our children/grandchildren and to hold those accountable for making sure children have a safe experience in any vehicle on the road. We are counting on your support to make this happen this year. I shudder to thaink how many children were transported unsafely as a result of this legislation not being passed last year?

God bless each and everyone of you!

James & Amanda Wallace

Once more unto the breach...

You may have noticed a lack of postings for the last 6 months. It was a deliberate decision made for a variety of reasons which we thought would produce results. Since we were wrong, we take up the sword once more and begin anew!!!


Over the next few months, we will press our lawmakers even more than before and ask for your support in doing so.

Thank you all for your time, your efforts on our behalf and your support of our most worthy cause.

God bless all...

James & Amanda Wallace

Forward progress on the new law!

Over the last few days, much progress has been made as we move forward in our goal of passing new legislation which seeks to address an inequity in holding drivers of automobiles more responsible for their very young passengers.

To date, only a $25.00 fine is imposed when a child is not secured in proper child safety seat, even following an accident where that child may be injured... or even killed!

Now,we have legislation that has been read on the floor of both houses of the Indiana Genral Assembly.

The Indiana House Bill is #1168 and can be found here:

House Bill #1168

The Indiana Senate Bill is #424 and can be found here:

Senate Bill #424

We now call on everyone involved, and even those who are not, to support this legislation as it moves forward in the process.  This new legislation will seek a measure of justice in cases where drivers fail to secure their youngest passengers in the proper child safety seats.
Remember, someday it may be your child or grandchild who is injured or killed and the driver of that vehicle must be held accountable for the safety of their passengers, especially our most innocent of passengers.

We only want that no parent or grandparent should experience the agony we have suffered due to injustice.

God bless each and every one of you!

James & Amanda Wallace

Thank you...

Our daughter, Heavenlee's (step) mother and father (Dane) visited Heavenlee today and brought Heavenlee's brothers, Dorian & Jonathon along as well.

They are very pleased with Heavenlee's progress, which includes better breathing, motion in her arms and a quality of life that we thought she would never achieve.

We look forward to them visiting her on a regular basis and being a part of her new life.We hope someday to visit our beloved granddaughter as well. I understand that she now likes the Pink Panther. That's my girl!!!

For now, we thank the mother for her compassion and willingness to move forward in a positive way.

God bless everyone!

James & Amanda Wallace