Jeffrey Clay Erlanger was an American advocate and activist for disability rights.
20 Facts About Jeff Erlanger
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Jeff Erlanger is known for appearing on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood when he was 10 years old, talking about his electric wheelchair and why he needed it.
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Jeffrey Clay Erlanger was born in Madison, Wisconsin, on November 30,1970, to Howard and Pam Erlanger, joining his older sister, Lisa.
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When Jeff Erlanger was 7 months old, he was diagnosed with a spinal tumor.
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Jeff Erlanger received his first electric wheelchair when he was 4 years old.
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Jeff Erlanger graduated from Memorial High School and from Edgewood College with a degree in political science.
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Jeff Erlanger's sister wrote Fred Rogers about her brother's wishes.
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Several years later, Jeff Erlanger was invited to be on Rogers' show.
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Jeff Erlanger appeared in Season 11, Episode 4, which aired on February 18,1981.
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Jeff Erlanger worked as an intern for Representative Tammy Baldwin and Senator Russ Feingold, who honored Jeff Erlanger in the Senate.
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Jeff Erlanger became very active in Madison, Wisconsin municipal politics, holding a number of positions in the community including as a member of the Economic Development Commission, chair of the Commission on People with Disabilities, and chair of the Board of Directors of the Community Living Alliance.
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Jeff Erlanger helped gain the accessible taxicab service in Madison today.
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In 2004 Jeff Erlanger flew to Boston to attend the Democratic National Convention, although he did not have a ticket.
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Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk, whose campaign Jeff Erlanger had worked on, was on his flight and got him in.
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In February 2000 Jeff Erlanger made a random connection in an America Online chat room at the end of the day with a woman in Boston who said she was trying to kill herself.
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Jeff Erlanger went to his building's lobby to call the police in Madison and Boston, and then AOL to help with the rescue.
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When Rogers was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1999, Jeff Erlanger was a surprise guest to introduce him.
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In May 2003, Jeff Erlanger attended the memorial service for Rogers at Heinz Hall in Pittsburgh to honor him.
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Jeff Erlanger passed away on June 10,2007, at the age of 36 in Madison, Wisconsin.
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Jeff Erlanger's death followed complications after he choked on food, which led to a coma lasting several weeks.