Published: March 27, 2008 06:18 pm            

In Your View — 03/28/08

March 28, 2008 06:00 am

Fund established for small child

At two weeks of age, sweet little Taytum Grace Johnson was exposed to bacterial meningitis. With a 15 percent life expectancy rate, Taytum spent the following two weeks in the Cabell Huntington ICU unit on life support.

With a collapsed lung and severe damage to her brain, Taytum fought back and beat the odds. Now at 2 years of age, she continues to overcome the challenges fate has dealt her. Taking occupational and physical therapy, each once a week, Taytum works to conquer her physical and visual handicaps.

Although she has made great strides, Taytum is severely delayed and is considered to have cerebral palsy which has up until this point prevented her from walking or talking. As a result of this brain injury, she has also been diagnosed with Cortical Vision Impairment.

But prayers have been answered and Taytum has been approved for stem cell therapy using umbilical stem cells. She and her family will leave May 31 for Costa Rica for her treatments. The four transfusions alone will cost $15,500. However, this is a small price to pay for Taytum’s chance at a normal future.

A fund has been established in her name at National City Bank and all donations are tax deductible. Please join us in this endeavor to help change a little girl’s life, forever. For more information, you may contact National City Bank or Anna and Jack Johnson at (606) 465-2959 or (606) 931-0575.

Anna Johnson, Catlettsburg



Spring Gala helps support Paramount

It’s time for the Paramount Arts Center annual Spring Gala. Now in its 22nd year, this elegant dinner/dance is the theater’s largest fundraiser.

It may surprise some to learn that ticket sales cover only 40 percent of what it takes for the Paramount to operate each season. Community support is vital to the theater’s continual mission to inspire, educate and entertain the tri-state with quality performing arts each season.

One way to support the theater’s mission is to attend this year’s Gala on Saturday, April 12, at the Fannin Motors Showroom. Or you could purchase a cash drawing ticket.

Sales of cash drawing tickets also provide funding to the theater. This annual drawing awards five $1,000 winners, a $10,000 winner and a grand prize winner receives $20,000! Though the cash prize winners are announced at the Gala, there is no need to attend the event to be entered into the drawing or to win. Only 1,000 tickets will be sold at $100 each. They are available through the Paramount or by calling me at (606) 922-0850 or (606) 921-2004.

We appreciate each person who supports the Paramount Arts Center and look forward to a future filled with the arts for everyone in our community!

Dianne Clement, Chairperson, Spring Gala Cash Drawing



Wylie not afraid to take a stand

My brother, David Wylie, is running for the U.S. Senate and I hope the people of Kentucky give him a chance. Kentucky has big problems and Sen. Mitch McConnell has done little to help our state and nation.

I’ve spoken to veterans who are disappointed that the concurrent receipt didn’t pass so that all disabled veterans would be eligibile for help.

Congress needs to spend more money for education. More teachers are needed to reduce class sizes. We need more law enforcement officers and firefighters.

I have spoken to a number of people who cannot afford health insurance.

Kentucky cannot afford to give Mitch McConnell another six years. We already have given him 23 years to improve our state and nation, but we are deeper in debt than ever.

David Wylie will not be afraid to take a stand and will focus on the issues important to Kentucky.

Timothy Moore, Harrodsburg

        

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