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Letters to the Editor

Stacey Burling's article addressed important concerns that family members often raise while caring for their dying loved ones ("How to speak to the dying," June 6).

No 'right' way to be with those dying

Stacey Burling's article addressed important concerns that family members often raise while caring for their dying loved ones ("How to speak to the dying," June 6).

During my 23 years as a hospice nurse, I have had the privilege to accompany many people and their families during the dying process. One of my earliest lessons as a hospice nurse was about the importance of "being with" rather than "doing for." In today's task-driven society, this notion is often uncomfortable, and our inability to "fix" leaves us feeling powerless.

There is no "right" way to be with the dying. We should not pressure ourselves into feeling that we need to be perfect - or even think that there is one perfect way to be present. Whether we provide words of love and support, or quietly sit at the bedside, family and friends should take comfort in the support and care that they provide their loved one. Hospice care, by offering physical, emotional, and spiritual support, can help prepare family members in knowing what to expect and in creating an individualized and meaningful experience.

Terre Mirsch

Vice President

Holy Redeemer Hospice

Philadelphia

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Schooling no proof of intelligence

An article on Tuesday ("Report: Pa.'s legislators are not as smart as N.Y.'s," Tuesday) was based on the assumption that smarts can be measured by the number of college degrees held.

But smarts and degrees often have little in common. A not-so-bright person with a college degree may be schooled, but remains the same not-so-bright person.

On the other hand, some of the smartest have no degrees. Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates come to mind. Both were college dropouts - and self-made billionaires in their 20s. Harry Truman had no college degree, but is considered one of our better presidents.

Washington politicians may have many advanced degrees, but there is a serious lack of smarts there. Otherwise, we would not be $14 trillion in debt and adding another trillion annually. This did not "just happen." It was brought about by many bad decisions by politicians who, in spite of their degrees, have proved themselves to be, well, not so smart.

Dan Landis

Broomall

dlbroomall@juno.com

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Christie should sign Alzheimer's bill

An estimated 5.4 million Americans live with the heartbreak and devastation of Alzheimer's disease, including 150,000 in New Jersey. With an aging population now at the epicenter of an escalating Alzheimer's crisis, the disease will become the country's biggest, broadest, and most expensive problem - to individuals, families, and the health-care system.

To confront this challenge, the New Jersey Legislature unanimously passed a bill (S.B. 125) establishing a 15-member Alzheimer's Disease Study Commission, to assess the needs of the Alzheimer's community, evaluate current services, and make recommendations on what steps lawmakers can take in the coming years.

In order to avert a future public health crisis, Gov. Christie needs to sign S.B 125, establishing the New Jersey Alzheimer's Disease Study Commission. We ask every New Jersey citizen to call Christie at 1-866-281-7219 to urge him to sign this bill, which will have a tremendous positive impact on the lives of families dealing with Alzheimer's.

Linda Coppinger

Executive Director

South Jersey Alzheimer's Association

Delaware Valley Chapter

Marlton

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Writing, thinking, and the obvious

I see that the University of Washington has reinvented the wheel (no doubt at great expense). It has "found that handwriting stimulates cognitive regions in the brain" ("Writing not on wall yet for handwriting," Monday).

So writing has something to do with thinking. And if you switch from right-hand writing to left-hand writing, you engage a different area of the brain. Is there anyone living who doesn't know this?

Theodora West

Philadelphia

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How about some cuts for executives?

The CEOs of two major institutions in Philadelphia - the School District and the Philadelphia Orchestra - are asking their workers to take cuts in salaries, benefits, and pensions.

Both of these executives earn large salaries (Superintendent Arlene C. Ackerman more than $350,000 plus bonuses, Allison B. Vulgamore more than $500,000).

Shouldn't they show leadership by offering to take a lesser salary themselves before asking their lesser-paid employees to take cuts in salary, benefits, and work rules?

Maxine Croul

Erdenheim

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Commuters simply can't afford tolls

Joseph M. Hoeffel and the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission are totally out of touch with reality ("Tolls could clear Route 422 clogs," June 9).

Most of the commuters I know and have commuted with for more than 30 years cannot afford $26.50 a week to support the dream of a rail line to Reading. Commuters are not able to deduct their toll costs. More than a million dollars was just wasted to add a third lane going west, while ignoring the morning problem going east. The problem is still what it was when Hoeffel first promised to help as a rookie commissioner: the local traffic that was once handled by the iron bridge.

The aim of the toll proposal, it would seem, is to drive motorists off 422 and onto side roads that are already as backed up as 422.

Mark Methlie

Lansdale