A New Chapter In R.J.'s Story
CBS News correspondent Sandra Hughes introduced Wednesday a young man named R.J. Feild, whose life has been a lesson in overcoming adversity.
Now, there's a new chapter in R.J.'s story, CBS News anchor Katie Couric reports.
R.J. was in Sacramento Thursday to personally introduce a bill - that literally has his name all over it.
R.J. was born addicted to heroin. His mother abandoned him at the hospital. No one thought he would ever survive. In fact, tasks many take for granted - reading, writing and walking - are a daily struggle for R.J.
If his legislation, called "R.J.'s Law," passes, it would offer drug rehabilitation to welfare recipients who test positive for illegal drugs.
If they refuse, they could lose their benefits.
The 16-year-old sophomore wants to make sure other children don't go through what he battles every day, and he wants to save taxpayers the millions of dollars his care has cost through the years.
His idea is controversial - the law would require random drug-testing for those on welfare. But R.J.'s never given up a fight that he thinks is worth winning.
Read Sandra Hughes' report on R.J's quest.
Watch the original report: R.J.'s Story.c"I just hope it to work out. It's going to take a little while, but I'm not too worried about it," R.J. said.