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Letters: To those children who need love the most

ISSUE | YOUTH SERVICES To those who need love the most Tears fell freely down my cheeks as I read Mike Newall's follow-up column about Ethan Okula, the intellectually disabled, 10-year-old foster child who died because of adult neglect ("Boy so many had failed inspires an outpouring," Wednesday).

Ethan Okula
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ISSUE | YOUTH SERVICES

To those who need love the most

Tears fell freely down my cheeks as I read Mike Newall's follow-up column about Ethan Okula, the intellectually disabled, 10-year-old foster child who died because of adult neglect ("Boy so many had failed inspires an outpouring," Wednesday).

My chronically ill and developmentally challenged child passed away only 16 weeks ago at age 19. We loved and cared for him at home. I realized my full capacity for unconditional love after I gave birth to Dylan.

I will never begin to grasp how family members and the "system" repeatedly caused harm to Ethan, especially with his special needs.

My heart is broken - not only for the loss of my son, but for the failure of our society to protect Ethan Okula.

Rest in peace, sweet boy.

|Cindy Gelman Singer, Philadelphia