"It is our genuine belief that given the progress over the last two months, Andrew will be ready to serve when the session begins."
Maynard family
Connecticut Democrats have faced pressure for more transparency on State Senator Andrew Maynard's condition as election day approaches. His family released a statement on Tuesday regarding his recovery, clarifying that he is still going to be on the November ballot as an incumbent.
Maynard suffered an injury in July. There was some speculation that he might not stand for re-election in his southeastern Connecticut district.
Last month, Maynard's family released a statement asserting that he is still a candidate for the State Senate office. They said Maynard was unconscious for some days following his injury, and is now reading, eating without help, and able to understand questions. His speech is limited to answering "yes" and "no," they said in September.
Maynard has progressed, the latest family statement said. "He is increasingly cognizant, able to remember, walk on his own and has been practicing golf putts with great success," they said.
"The position of State Senator is intended to be part-time," the statement said, "with a session that does not begin for over two months. It is our genuine belief that given the progress over the last two months, Andrew will be ready to serve when the session begins."
Read the full statement from the family below.
“The Maynard Family appreciates the community’s continued patience and support for our brother, State Senator Andrew Maynard. It has been 11 weeks since his accident and based on the input from his medical staff, we continue to be optimistic about his ability to achieve a full recovery. Given the timing of his accident and the upcoming election, however, it is also important that we temper our optimism, particularly in light of the needs of voters in his district to make a fully informed choice on November 4th.
“We find ourselves in the difficult and unenviable position of not only overseeing and making decisions regarding our brother’s care, but also having to make decisions regarding his career. Our overriding concern is his health. Andrew’s career is of the utmost importance to him, so it becomes an important concern to us. We have tried to make these decisions with a single question in mind: What would he do were he able to make these decisions? We know from past experience that his primary concern has been “to faithfully discharge” his duties as a State Senator with transparency and integrity on behalf of his district. We admittedly are not qualified to make decisions as he would, so our approach has been to do no harm as we work toward getting him back to a position of making decisions for himself, at the same time giving voters sufficient information to make their decisions in the absence of his ability to participate in the campaign process.
“As to his current specific medical situation he continues physical, occupational and speech therapies. These therapists have consistently reported impressive progress relative to the time and extent of Andrew’s injuries. He is increasingly cognizant, able to remember, walk on his own and has been practicing golf putts with great success.
“While we continue to be encouraged, challenges to his full recovery remain, particularly in the area of speech. Though the medical staff has assured us that a lag in speech recovery is consistent with this type of injury, a pharmaceutical that has been found to accelerate the recovery of speech functions was administered. Unfortunately, Andrew has twice experienced minor seizures immediately after receiving the drug. He was thoroughly evaluated after the incidents and we were advised there was no permanent effect. Subsequently, he began to be somewhat inattentive and sluggish in his reactions to therapists and visitors. This is believed to be caused by the dosages of anti-seizure medication administered after the incidents and the medical staff has begun a scheduled program of reducing these dosages resulting in noticeable improvement. All indications are that his recovery remains on track in spite of the complications of the last week.
“There is understandably concern about Andrew’s abilities to carry out his duties as a State Senator. Please know that we understand and share this concern. More than anyone, we do not want to see him in a role that he is unable to carry out, no matter what benefits may accrue to him for doing so. The position of State Senator is intended to be part- time, with a session that does not begin for over two months. It is our genuine belief that given the progress over the last two months Andrew will be ready to serve when the session begins. In the event that Andrew Maynard is elected to a fifth term, but cannot or chooses not to serve, the process mandates a special election. Our hope is to let the voters decide if they want to give him another term, and at the same time give our brother the chance to decide whether or not he chooses to carry out his duties if elected.”
