Hello, my name is Tiffany Stevens and I am a citizen of Gloucester County Virginia , who has lupus. I was diagnosed 10 years ago. I would like to voice my support for this license plate as I feel that more awareness for this disease is necessary. In order to be diagnosed with lupus. I had to visit five different doctors and it took several years to receive an official diagnosis. One of the doctors I met with told me that my symptoms weren’t “going to cripple me or kill me in the next couple months “so I didn’t need to be put on any medication or look for any additional answers. Luckily, I finally found the right Doctor who has me on the right combination of medicines and my lupus is mostly under control. I am one of the lucky ones who is still able to work, has no organ involvement and only suffers from occasional flares. However, some of my fellow lupus warriors are not so lucky. This disease primarily affects women of child bearing ages, however before my diagnosis I had never heard of the disease. Anything we can do to bring awareness is a step in the correct direction. Again, I would urge you to support this license plate so that we can spread the word about Lupus awareness and hopefully one day obtain a cure for this disease. Thank you for your time.

I would like to bring to your attention the importance of HB 2116. This bill will display health conditions and/or disabilities on the driver's license, identification card or operators permit. This is an ongoing issue especially in communities whereby the police are contacted to assist with the individual having an emotional trauma due to mental health crisis. As of result, the following individuals were murdered during a mental crisis encounter with a police officer. On July 6,2024, Sonya Massey, 36 year old black woman was shot and killed in her home. On March 3, 2023, Irvo Noel Otieno, 28 year old black man was killed at Central State psychiatric hospital in Dinwiddie County, VA Natasha McKenna, 37 died when she struggle with deputies during mental stress at the Fairfax County Jail on September 28,2018. No one is expected to contact police in middle of a mental health crisis and learn their love one asking for help is found dead by the hands of police. This bill will determine police encounter when citizen reach out to police for help during medical emergency. Please support yes vote for HB 2116! Thank you,