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In an effort to increase awareness and prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome, Shaken Baby revention, Inc. has their prevention message laminated in table tops in Foster’s Grill, 5007 E. Westone Plaza Drive in Chantilly, VA.  The contract with Table Top Productions is for 3 years, all tables per restaurant.  The same signs will be placed in table tops in Urbana, Maryland this spring.  Shaken Baby Prevention, Inc. presently has a billboard posted in Virginia, (Route 28 North at Maplewood Drive) and is posting one in Lorton, Fredericksburg, Quantico and one in Prince George’s County, MD the week of March 3.  Part of a large national campaign, the organization has placed billboards in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, Illinois, Wisconsin, Utah, Minnesota, Kansas, Ohio, Washington and bus tail light signs in Virginia and Washington, DC. 

Catherine founded the non profit organization, Shaken Baby Prevention, Inc. in honor of Ryan Sanders, Catherine and Steven Sanders’ son, who was shaken at 8 weeks of age, October, 1992.  Today at 15, Ryan suffers with permanent global brain damage to include cerebral palsy, cortical visual impairment and more.  Ryan remains non verbal with aggressive behaviors due to his limited communication. Ryan’s perpetrator, Eleanor Kay Hinegardner lives in Gainesville’s Heritage Hunt community.  She served 18 months in prison and was released from parole September 4, 2003.  She is free to continue her life, while Ryan was sentenced by her hands to a life of disabilities.

The mission of this organization is not only prevention/awareness/education but to also to fulfill needs of all special needs children in VA/MD/DC through fundraising efforts.  Wheelchairs, therapeutic horseback riding scholarships, gravesite markers, adaptive bicycles, adaptive computer keyboards, sensory vests, bathing chairs, music therapy and more have been delivered to many children with a variety of special needs through their fundraising efforts.

Shaken baby syndrome continues to shatter the lives of children and families across our nation. It is important that we work together to ensure that we are effectively preventing and prosecuting cases so no child will have to suffer this tragedy.  Catherine utilizes outdoor advertising to each the maximum number of people at a time (most bang for her buck!).  Although she realizes the idea of putting a picture and story in a family restaurant may be difficult, she wants us to realize that living with shaken baby abuse is harder and this is a form of child abuse that is 100% preventable with continued education and awareness. 

Shaken Baby Syndrome occurs when a frustrated caregiver shakes a young child causing permanent brain damage or death.  The damage occurs in seconds.  The outcomes for survivors typically include cerebral palsy, blindness, paralysis, deafness, seizures, learning/behavioral difficulties, and vegetative state.  Perpetrators of shaken baby syndrome typically include biological fathers (37%), boyfriends (20.5%), female baby-sitters (17.3%), and biological mothers (12.6%). It is estimated that 1,000-3,000 children are diagnosed with shaken baby syndrome annually, with thousands more misdiagnosed and undetected. Long term costs for brain injuries such as shaken baby syndrome are estimated over $4 million for a lifetime of care.

Shaken Baby Prevention, Inc. was honored with the 2006 Shelley Krasnow Community Service Award, and nominated again in 2007 and is a member of the Greater Prince William County Chamber of Commerce.  They were also Media Studio’s 2007 CreateAThon winner and nominated in 2007 for the Acacia Federal Savings Bank Nice Guy’s award.  Learn more by visiting  www.sbsprevention.org.  Donations are appreciated and needed to continue to help our special children.  We never want to say no to a special child in need!

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For more information call Catherine Sanders at (703) 966-2091 or email her at catherine@sbsprevention.org