Zoey Harrison has cerebral palsy. She needs help using Michigan’s public toilets, so she urges State Representative Graham Filler to get two bills.

LANSING, me. – At the end of 2018, 13 ON YOUR SIDE introduced the then 9-year-old Zoey Harrison to the world that saved “Recess” with her invention of the BodyCoat, which started a family business called Xability.

Almost three years later, she set out to urge Michigan lawmakers to “save toilets” by passing bills that improve accessibility for the disabled across the state.

Zoey Harrison, who was born with cerebral palsy and spends most of her time in a wheelchair, rose to fame when she was unable to play with her friends on recess because it took too long to get properly dressed in time. Her frustration led to an idea – a full body coat – that her mother, Jennifer Harrison, created.

Zoey’s invention was picked up by media around the world and featured twice with David Muir on ABC World News Tonight.

As the family’s BodyCoat business continues to thrive, Zoey has grown older and bigger and is becoming more aware of the challenges her disability will face for the rest of her life.

“When we’re in public, I need help going to the bathroom,” said Zoey, reigning Miss Wheelchair Michigan. “To change me, my parents have to put a blanket on the floor in public toilets.

“It’s gross. There always seems to be water on the floor. Sometimes there are ants and the tampon boxes need to be changed.”

Public toilets tend to be like Grand Central Station in terms of pedestrian traffic.

“She gets over strangers who come and go while I change her and see ‘her business’,” said Jennifer.

Shortly after Zoey was named Miss Wheelchair Michigan, State House Representative, (R) 93rd Ward, Graham Filler contacted her, congratulated her, and invited her to the State House of Representatives at the Lansing Capitol for a day.

Zoey accepted the invitation and immediately saw it as an opportunity to let her voice be heard.

“I just started telling him everything I needed to change,” Zoey said, referring to what had happened when she met Filler.

“She gave me a full folder of things to do as a legislator,” said Filler, who represents Gratiot County, where the Harrisons live. “They were broad concepts of things that she believed needed improvement in Michigan for people with disabilities and wheelchair users.”

In Zoey’s files, she described two bills that Filler should review and pass.

“The first focused on improving accessibility in public restrooms and the second on adding accessible travel information to the Michigan state government website so people with disabilities know where and how to get to the most suitable disabled toilets.”

Filler says he couldn’t believe what he read and that it was from a 12-year-old.

“I said, ‘boy, these are interesting concepts,'” said Filler, who recently started his second term. “We need to take a closer look at that.”

As soon as Zoey left the Capitol, that’s exactly what he did.

“I need to sit down with my staff and brainstorm ideas, and then we need to send billing requests to the Legislative Service Bureau,” said Filler.

He says he doesn’t expect a pushback once he starts campaigning for the support of his co-legislators.

“I especially like the idea of ​​the state website Zoey brought me,” said Filler. “I don’t know if this is a correction of the law. Maybe I’ll call the State Department, which works with disabled people, and say, ‘Hey, have you ever thought about this?'”

The COVID-19 pandemic has kept Filler from doing a lot for Zoey in 2020, but after seeing her again earlier this year, the momentum for the bills is back.

“I’m really impressed with their attitude,” added Filler. “I’m a lawmaker, and I’ve met someone who won’t quit either.”

Filler says he continues to generate support for both bills. There’s no schedule as to when or if they’ll make it to the ground.

“At the end of the day, this goes to Zoey’s heart,” said Filler. “She brought something new with her that I haven’t seen and that no one has seen yet.”

Zoey says she failed to pressure fillers and urge that more laws be passed with solutions for access to public buildings, transportation and shopping malls.

She also arranged to meet with United States representative John Moolenaar to discuss further changes.

If you’d like to keep track of Zoey’s progress, be sure to follow her Facebook page, which continues to post updates.

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