August React

React LETTERS ON THE JUNE ISSUE

A Cover Worth a Thousand Smiles Your June cover is so inspiring— I posted it in my office. I can’t help but smile whenever I see it.

I’m sure you’ve received a lot of letters like this, but every time I see your cover, I’m reminded of the phrase “Oh, cheer up! Things could be worse.” I cheer up … and sure enough, things get worse! K el l y Reed, Phoenix, Arizona

Love the cover! I didn’t even have to open the magazine and read the jokes to be cheered up. Thanks for caring enough to lighten our burdens. Chery l Yonk ma n, Oak Harbor, Washington

Your cover is a great way to help America. Humor is good medicine.

ence”). She is correct in noting that many well-designed studies have found no link between vaccines and autism and that there’s a growing body of evidence that suggests a genetic cause of the disorder. And yet myths about vaccines promulgated by celebrities like Jenny McCarthy are causing children to suffer diseases that could have been prevented with vaccines. Parents need accurate, scientifically sound information to make decisions about their children’s health.

Barbara Singer-Boocher, Bonita Springs, Florida

Dav id T. Tayloe, Jr., MD, FA AP, President, American Academy of Pediatrics

Celeb Rx Anne Underwood succinctly exposes the dangers of depending on celebrities for health information (“The Trouble with Celebrity Sci-

Celebrities aren’t the only ones giving unreliable medical advice. After I was on hormone therapy for ten years, the medical profession

We Want to Hear from You! If we publish your letter—whether it’s to comment on our content, sing our praises, or take us to task—you’ll receive a free Reader’s Digest book or CD, courtesy of our Books and Music division. Send your submissions to [email protected]. 6

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(BABY ) JLP/JOSE L. PEL AE Z / CORBIS; ( WASHINGTON) HENRY LEUT WYLER / CONTOUR BY GET T Y IMAGES

B a rba ra Ry berg, Noblesville, Indiana

changed its recommendation for menopausal women. I had been told that it was good for my health, but I kept questioning why I needed it. Then the medical establishment changed its mind and longterm hormone therapy was now dangerous. Is there any authority we can trust for good medical advice? Susa n Hod ges, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Our Readers in Action Bren Bataclan, who gives away his quirky cartoon art in exchange for a “promise to smile at random people more often,” was featured in our March Make It Matter, “Grin City.” He writes: Your article about my Smile Project has been one of the best things that have happened in my life. I’ve received e-mails from folks all across the country. A school in Seward, Alaska, flew me in to teach drawing to kids. The $1,500 grant you issued in my honor was awarded to an elementary school in Lowell, Massachusetts, where the kids and I will paint hopscotch boards and other games on a playground surface. I’ve received donations and commissions as well. For a fulltime artist, this experience has been a blessing. Plastic surgeon Geoff Williams, also featured in March (Make It Matter: “Rays of Hope”), flies all over the world to repair children’s facial deformities. His mother, Beverly Williams, shares his news: Since you featured the work of my son with his International Children’s Surgical Foundation, we have received many donations and favorable remarks. One donation alone was for $26,000! Last week, Geoff saw 100 patients in the Philippines, and a recent mission included a nurse from Pennsylvania, a dentist from California, and a maxillofacial surgeon from Idaho—all of whom volunteered because of the article. Thank you, Reader’s Digest!

Editor’s Note: You’re right. Doctors and medical researchers alike deserve to feel sheepish for jumping to conclusions about hormone therapy (HT). Yes, there were plenty of clues suggesting that it could keep women healthy, but when randomized studies were finally done, they showed that HT failed to deliver expected benefits and brought unanticipated risks. Yet this experience has helped fuel a push toward evidence-based medicine, which relies more on randomized, controlled trials and less on gut feelings developed through clinical experience. The situation is still far from perfect. Stay tuned. We’ll be doing more on this topic soon.

Going for It I agree with Jacquelyn Mitchard: Kids should dream big (“Why Passion Matters”). My son has had one

plan since he was 12 years old—to design and write video games. He knew not only what he wanted to do but also where he wanted to go to study—a rather expensive specialized school that’s 1,000 miles away. I had my reservations, but I knew that I had to support him. Ka ren Harvey, Mansfield, Pennsylvania

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“Well, I have bad news for you too.”

with promises, hugs, and tears. After my reentry into civilian life, my wife and I saved enough money to bring Soongook to America. He graduated from college, married, and had two sons. Sadly, a few years ago, Soongook had a sudden heart attack and passed away. Covington’s story vividly reminded me that only through caring are we truly attached to others. Irv in W. Brow n, Fresno, California

A Soldier’s Story Diane Covington’s story “Finding Gilbert” brought back memories of a displaced Korean boy, Soongook Choi, who came into my life while I was serving in the military during the Korean War. Soongook followed me wherever he could and became my best friend. After two years, I had mixed emotions about leaving him behind when I finally returned home. My departure was filled 8

Time’s Up As long as people keep voting for the same politicians year after year, greed and corruption are only going to get worse (Outrageous! “We’re Done with Greed”). The two vital words missing from the Constitution are term and limits. The absence of term limits is one of the reasons we are in this mess today. Larry Snyder, Greenville, North Carolina

Total Recall Since the story about my struggle with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) appeared (“Forget Something?”), people across the country have called to share their stories. A woman from Sacramento told me she readersdigest.com 8/09

I L L U S T R AT E D B Y B O B E C K S T E I N

Mitchard suggests it’s better to focus on your passion than to have a backup plan in place. This is ludicrous. Young people need to learn to be responsible adults, and working extra hard to have a backup plan won’t hurt a bit. T homa s H a milton, Irving, Texas

is being treated for Parkinson’s but, after reading the article, thinks she’s been misdiagnosed. Another man, after learning about my symptoms, believes he has NPH. I’m amazed by the response, and I hope my story helps these people get better. D onna N a mma r, Cottonwood, California

Your advice about cutting one’s risk for Alzheimer’s may not work for everyone. Both before and after my husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s eight years ago, he faithfully followed the rules you mentioned. Cutting out junk food, going for a walk, and socializing are all good lifestyle choices, but there is no guarantee against this disease. M a zie C. Porter, Soda Springs, Idaho

card was declined. Fearing identity theft, I called AmEx right there. To my surprise, my account had been canceled—not because of my standing with American Express, which was excellent, but because of information in my credit report. To cancel a card out of the blue like this is an extremely poor business practice. Debra Van Wagoner, Midvale, Utah

100 Percent Mom I was inspired by Becky Ziegel’s determination to help her son, Ty, who came back from Iraq with devastating injuries (“Mother Courage”). My son recently returned from service in Afghanistan, and I’m aware of the uncertainties and anxiety she must have faced. As Ms. Ziegel says, “You’re never done being a mom.”

Card Sharks

Betty Ann Surratt, Fort Mill, South Carolina

Janice Lieberman is right: Credit card companies can easily take away what they give (Here’s the Deal: “Take Control of Debt”). I had an American Express card for years and always paid it in full and on time. Last month, while I was eating out with my husband, my

How to Reach Us

Linda Kramer Jenning writes that Ty Ziegel is a former Marine. His title of U.S. Marine should get the respect it deserves. Once a Marine, always a Marine. Thank you for your service and sacrifice, Ty. Semper Fi.

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