Letters to the Editor

December 11, 2009

Thanks to woman who paid for asthma supplies

To the editor:

It was a typical trip to Wal-Mart in Shippensburg, Pa., to pick up the supplies for the asthma kits that needed to go out to children. I was rushed and had a big order and was on my second trip through the checkout line.

There was a mother with a young boy in her cart behind me and she was wondering why I needed all of the supplies. I explained that I am working with the Cumberland Valley Asthma Alliance, which recently had expanded its school program into the homes of children with asthma thanks to a grant from Summit Endowment. We can now go to their homes and give parents the tools they need to reduce the number of indoor triggers to keep their children's asthma under control.

She continued to ask questions and I was very proud to answer every one. My order was just about to be completed and she said to the cashier, "I will be buying this order."

I objected and told her we had a grant and it was too much since the bill was more than $200. She insisted, then said, "I want to do this," and swiped her card. I was in shock and tried to get her name to send her a thank you.

She said, "I did this so you can reach out to more children." I thanked her and as I turned away, I started to cry as I walked to my car. I was being negative all day and it seemed nothing had been going right and now, I was almost ashamed of the way I had been thinking all day. This moment has changed me, and as I give these parents and children these kits, I remember this kind stranger. I realize how lucky I am to be able to deliver these kits that are making a difference in the lives of these children.

To the generous woman who paid for the supplies that day, I want to say thank you and tell you that you've made more of difference than you'll ever know - to me and to the children you've helped.

Christa M. Lohr, R.N.
Shippensburg, Pa.

Government doesn't have motive in health care

To the editor:

Unpatriotic presidents and politicians have undermined confidence in the government. Unfortunately, the uninformed public has believed them.

As a result, the public seems to prefer insurance company bureaucrats, who are motivated by profit, to government bureaucrats, who have no profit motive.

I refer, of course, to health care reform. I prefer to deal with the government, not the insurance companies.

Harold C. Craig Jr.
Emmitsburg, Md.

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