letters to tfy» I bi tor I W Ka r ~ I By Bill Kiser, 1976 Handicapped American of the Year Along with 28 million other handicapped Americans, I am anxiously awaiting to see how the policies of the Carter administration will affect the lives of the handicapped. Noone could claim that the handicapped are single-minded politically, as each of us have our own political and philosophical bias as the result of our backgrounds. However, as one who has been affected both positively and negatively by government policies. I for one am very encouraged by what appears to be the administration's philosophy towards those of us who are disabled. The President has stated on a number of occasions that he feels that like other Americans "the handicapped have a right to control their own destinies.” Rather than the government doing things for the handicapped, President Carter says that "the handicapped will be partners in achieving the common goal of full civil rights, full personal dignity and full human happiness." He has expressed his concern for both the handicapped who are institutionalized and those who are living and working in the mainstream of society. Mr. Carter has said that his administration will carefully evaluate the recommendations of the White House Conference on Handicapped Individuals (to be held in Washington. DC. May 23-27) and he assures the handicapped that "vigorous action" will result from the Conference's recom mendations. Whatever his specific programs and recommendations. if he carries out the basic philosophy of one statement, we have real cause for encouragement. President Carter has stated that, "If we neglect the abilities or rights of even one person it does not just hurt that person. It hurts us all.” Certainly, we must be realistic about what the new administration can and will do for the handicapped. Like all other groups in America with pressing needs, we must realize that our needs must fit into the much broader national priorities. As much as we would like, the President cannot merely push a button and change the philosophy and policies of all government offices overnight. When - and if - the Carter philosophy towards the handicapped is implemented in all agencies of the federal government, the handicapped should be able to expect many changes. Such changes will be felt at State and local levels as well. For example, a local transit authority will be much more likely to equip their buses with lifts or ramps if they know that their federal funds will be cut off in accordance with the law. Some private businesses may stop dragging their feet on providing equal employment opportunities to the handi­ capped once they feel that the government is one hundred percent behind this effort. But. before the handicapped jump out of their wheelchairs with joy and excitement, they might do well to remember that any partnership carries with it a dual responsibility. If the handicapped do receive fair and equal treatment from the new administration, many of us may lose one of our treasured pastimes - that of blaming the government for everything. It is always easy for people to rebel against a system in which they have no part, but it is often more difficult to accept the responsibility of bringing about desired changes. If President Carter and his administration can lead all segments of American Society to a new understanding of the role of the disabled citizen, we will surely have much over which to rejoice. Rather than thinking in terms of a new order, these efforts should be considered as a fulfillment of the principles on which this country was started. If the partnership which Mr. Carter has promised becomes truly operative, we who are physically or mentally impaired can have a part in building a better America. Christian Church News Thursday, April 14 - Wo­ men's Bible Study at Donna Hutchinson, followed by a salad luncheon. 9:15 a.m. Friday, April IS - Good News Club, 3:30 p.m. Saturday , April 16 - Yo­ uth Group prayer, 10 p.m. Sunday , April 17 • Sunday school, 9:45 a.m. Worship Service, 11 a.m. with a guest minister , Bill Bledsoe from Washington speaking to Seniors. Following church services, a potluck banquet will be held for the graduating se­ niors and families, also church members. Evening services, 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 18 • Wo­ men's workday, 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 19 * Men's Prayer Breakfast, 7 a.m.. Brownie's Cafe Wednesday, Aril 20 • Choir practice, 7 p.m. Youth Group, 8 p.m. Bible Study and Prayer, 8 p.m. Thursday, April 21 • Wo­ men's Bible Study at Vesper Richards. 9:30 a.m. PollyaiKin Hare Meeting The Pollyannna Club met Thursday afternoon at the home of Mrs. Thelma Mef- ford in Nyssa. The eleven members present answered roll call with their plans for Easter. Following the business meeting, the ladies went to the Malheur Memorial Nurs­ ing Home where they served refreshments and presented some musical numbers for the residents there. The next meeting will be at the home of Mrs. Linda Conant. There will be a plant exchange and a homemade gift exchange for Mother's Day, Editor. The Journal: On behalf of Holy Rosary Hospital and the Oregon Lung Association. please accept our thanks for publici­ zing our recently held Em­ physema Self-Care Patient Workshop held in Ontario from February 28 through March 28, 1977. A total of thirty-three patients with Chronic Ob­ structive Pulmonary Disease registered for the workshop and each patient brought along a member of his or her respective family. The workshop was con­ sidered a great success. It was the first for a COPD workshop in Ontario and we are looking forward to similar future workshops. Physi­ cians. and other paramedical personnel from Holy Rosary Hospital made up the partici­ pating faculty members. Sincerely. Anthony F. Haberlach Regional Director Editor. The Journal: 1 would like to address my letter to the voters of the Adrian School District. Did You Know That! 1. There is a group of concerned patrons of the Adrian School District that are interested in providing the kindergarten experience for ALL the children of the district. 2. Our school board has provided the opportunity for the voters to express their feelings on this issue by having a "straw ballot" (this means a separate ballot from the budget ballot; specifically on the kindergarten at the same time we vote on the total school budget on April 19th. The school board has agreed that their decision on the kindergarten issue will be baaed on the straw ballot vote. This means that if the straw ballot passes there will be a kindergarten program for ALL the children in the district. 3. Regardless of the straw ballot outcome there will continue to be a Migrant and Title I Regular kindergarten in the Adrian School District for the 1977-1978 school year. This kindergarten program will be a full day program for the children that fall under these classifications. This program is funded by Federal money allocated through the state. 4. Therefore, the REAL ISSUE we will be voting on with the straw ballot is do we or do we not want the kindergartedn program for ALL the children in the district. A YES vote means that you as a voter feel that ALL the children in the district are entitled to the same experience. A NO vote means that you as a voter feel that the program that exists now which has specific enrollment restrictions is adequate. 5. A kindergarten program that would enable all children in the district to go would not be without cost. It will cost the taxpayer approximately 18c per thousand, on per­ sonal and real property valuation. It is hoped that these facts will help you make a more informed decision. Thank you Lois Tailman Adrian. Oregon Editor. The Journal: I am chairman of the Nyssa March of Dimes Walk-a-thon and I would like to answer a question that has been asked of me several times this past week. Does *he March of Dimes Foundation pay for abortions KINDERGARTEN J Limited Enrollmsnt '4 k Degreed, Certified Teacher-I Class * 2Vi Hours STRONG PHONICS PROGRAM Learning Centers INDIVIDUALIZED LEARNING STRESSED FOR INFORMATION, CALL 7/> or encourage them in any way? The answer is No, they do not. They do pay University hospitals to study birth defects. This includes mak­ ing tests during early preg­ nancy. This is the way they have been able to find preventions for a lot of birth defects. Durirg the process it might be discovered that certain pregnancy will result in a defective child. The mother is advised of this and it is entirely up to her what to do about it. The March-of-Dimes does not recommend one way or another and does not pay for an abortion if the mother decides on it. The March-of-Dimes pur­ pose is to prevent all birth defects possible and it is through this research pro­ gram they have learned the cause of many birth defects ind how to prevent them. It is a really great organi­ zation and 1 thank everyone in our community for sup­ porting it. God bless all of you. Barbara Ulrey Route 1, Box 26 Nyssa, Oregon Editor, The Journal: We would like to call your attention to a position of Right To Life/Oregon. The following is a quotation from the January Newsletter: "Life Lite": "The National Right of Life Committee has called for a total boycott. Our investiga­ tion leads the Board of RTL/U to the position expressed below: WHEREAS The March of Dimes is an organization dedicated to protecting the life and health of both the born and unborn child, and WHEREAS the recipients of grants from the March of Dimes are using amniocen­ tesis to identify defective unborn children for purposes of aborting them: and WHEREAS the March of Dimes though purporting not to support abortion has failed and refused to supervise an