Actress Roberts Testifies
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WASHINGTON, D.C.
On Rett Syndrome
Actress Julia Roberts, choking back tears as she described the death of a 10-year-old girl with Rett syndrome, appealed to Congress for $15.5 million to research the neurological disorder that mainly afflicts young girls.
“This is very impressive and nerve-racking,” Roberts said as she took her seat in a crowded room for a hearing of the House Appropriations subcommittee responsible for public health spending.
“I usually ramble, but this is important, so I’ll read,” she said.
The disease, which affects about 200,000 girls and women worldwide, leaves them unable to communicate and control body movements and functions. Most develop severe disabilities by age 3.
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