August 1, 2010 Managing Editor Regular News Lawyer with MS makes a difference for thousands with autoimmune disorders Lawyer with MS makes a difference for thousands with autoimmune disordersMark D. Killian Managing EditorAfter being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2007, Plantation lawyer David Weiss began to notice that many of his MS symptoms worsened proportionate to the rise in temperature. The hotter he was, the more likely he experienced numbness in his extremities, fatigue, and blurred vision. And what’s hotter then getting into a car that has been parked under the Florida sun?One day a friend suggested he get a darker tint on his car windows. Then Weiss began thinking, and, being a lawyer, he started researching Florida’s laws on vehicle sunscreen tinting. He soon learned F.S. §316.29545 laid out an exception to the tinting restrictions for those suffering from lupus or whose medical conditions might be worsened by exposure to excessive light.“After consulting with experts in the field, I reasoned that a similar exception should be extended to those with MS or other autoimmune diseases who also could benefit by having additional automotive sunscreen tinting,” said Weiss, a corporate lawyer, real estate developer, and inventor.“This seemed logical and translated to a great benefit for all Floridians seeking to improve their automotive driving experience by having less exposure to both light and heat.”Working through the MS Society, Weiss brought his idea to Rep. Gary Aubuchon, R-Cape Coral, and Sen. Eleanor Sobel, D-Hollywood, who pushed to include the statutory inclusion for all autoimmune diseases in the Department of Highway Safety and Moter Vehicles bill.It passed both chambers unanimously this year and is now law.“There was not one legislator who was opposed to the idea,” Weiss said.He also credits Rep. Evan Jenne, D-Ft. Lauderdale, former Rep. Ken Gottlieb, and his wife, Lynn Epstein, a Nova Southeastern University law professor, with helping bring the Florida Motor Vehicle Sunscreen Initiative to fruition.Weiss’ MS symptoms had gone undiagnosed for some 25 years, with his early symptoms being brushed off as the byproducts of stress or sports injuries.“I never really put it all together until I had my first really full-fledged flare-up.”Practicing law with MS requires him be a little smarter — to think more about his body and the signals it sends him. He has not cut back on his practice, but makes sure he gets plenty of rest and allows himself more time to accomplish what needs to be done.Now that Florida’s law has been amended, Weiss wants to use the heat and light exemptions to the tinting laws as a template to amend similar statutes across the Sun Belt.“The acceptance right now seems to be very high, and through the MS Society we have been in touch with other states. There seems to be a kind acceptance and people saying, ‘Of course, we want it here,’” Weiss said.The experience also has taught him that one lawyer can make a difference, and he encourages other lawyers to follow suit.“If we think outside the box, we can help people in so many different ways we have not even thought about before,” Weiss said. “The first thing to do is think about what affects you in your life. Take your education and apply it, and look what happens. I have ultimately helped thousands of people, and it feels really good to know I did that because I am a lawyer.”
read more