On the evening of October 8th 2004 while coming home from ballet class in Manhattan, Sheila Rann, a native New Yorker, fell into a gap between the train and the platform at the Forest Hills LIRR Train station. As a result of the fall she suffered a severe spinal cord injury which has left her completely paralyzed from the neck down. Ms. Rann presently relies on a ventilator to regulate her breathing and around the clock critical care nursing to sustain her everyday healthcare and personal needs.
This story had never been spoken publicly about Ms. Rann’s situation until we heard about the recent death of a young lady, whose avoidable tragedy occurred the same way as Ms. Rann: falling through the gap on the LIRR. It is our sincerest hope that by sharing her story we may help save the life of the next potential victim of the Long Island Railroad’s terrifying negligence.
To date the LIRR and their attorney’s have resorted to obvious delay tactics, ignoring requests for paperwork and depositions. In doing so the LIRR has violated a series of court orders in an effort to delay Ms. Rann’s day in court. Almost two years after the accident, nothing has been done to help Ms. Rann’s horrible situation and even worse, nothing appears to have been done to prevent further accidents.
Ms. Rann was a strong, highly independent women and a lifelong New Yorker who danced on Broadway, was a Rockette, published two books as well as successful in business. She has raised children here, and now has grandchildren who are growing up in this, the greatest city in the world. We strongly believe that New Yorkers have great compassion and a deep and abiding sense of personal responsibility.
We ask that you sign this petition in an effort to get the LIRR to take action to support Ms. Rann and fix the issues relating the GAP's.
Recently, a four-year-old fell through the gap, and thankfully, was not harmed. Will it take another tragedy to shake the LIRR into taking long-delayed action? We ask today both that Ms. Rann’s own cause be heard, but most importantly we ask the LIRR to take preventative steps to ensure the safety of all their passengers.
