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Living with ALS before support networks existed was horrible
What readers are saying in Thursday’s letters
 
Letters to the Editor Graphic
Letters to the Editor Graphic [ TARA MCCARTY | Tampa Bay Times ]
Published Dec. 25, 2019

These services make life better | Letter, Dec. 21

What ALS was like before help

This letter about Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) got my attention. It referred to Multidisciplinary ALS clinics like the one at the University of South Florida that provide quality-of-life services to ALS patients that are not available at mainstream medical clinics. I was appalled to find the funding by the state of Florida was cut from $1 million to $100,000.

I wonder if those with whom the funding decision rests have ever known anyone now suffering with ALS or lost a loved one who has. In 1959, our father was diagnosed with ALS. It was rural Maine. There were no ALS clinics, and treatments were unheard of. Our mother was the sole caregiver all the way, right at home. It was three long agonizing years until his last breath. We wish there had been just some of that kind of professional help for our dad.

I ask those with the authority to fund these clinics here in Florida to do so right away, and I also call upon federal agencies to do the same.

Alton Shedd, Zephyrhills

Kill toll road, not Florida panther | Editorial, Dec. 24

A road we don’t need or want

The Florida Department of Transportation works year round to study the needs for roads. They factor in the need, costs, environmental concerns and protection of wildlife. It is a full-time responsibility. Now, Senate President Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, and Gov. Ron DeSantis, have decided that they know more about roads than the DOT. And to justify their decision, they organized 10 hearings across the state to convince the public that they are right. It would be difficult to put a price on these hearings, and it really didn’t matter because, in the end, the elected officials will say that they provided input. They will shove these roads down our throats whether we want, or need, them. And the losers are the animals in our state and the people who will lose the natural environment that we all love. We need your paper to keep this issue alive for all of us.

Margaret Hyde, Clearwater

Tampa Bay Rays

A home with baseball history

As a resident of Old West Tampa, I can comfortably say a Tampa Bay Rays stadium in West Tampa would be a perfect fit. As the neighborhood continues to be revitalized with new homes and affordable housing, a stadium would only accelerate that growth and instill more pride in the area. As everyone continues to worry about the price tag, I would encourage our politicians to assess a more fitting measure than upfront cost — and that is return on investment. Outside of traditional economic reasons, the Rays and Major League Baseball have a perfect cultural fit as well. Throughout the 1960s and ’70s, West Tampa was home to some of the best Little League in the country with top talent, including a Little League World Series victory in 1970. With West Tampa on the rise again with more diversity than ever, this partnership would not only be an economic win in the long run, but a win for local youth and baseball in the area.

Thomas Vacca, Tampa

The 2020 election

Fingers off of the keyboard

I suggest that the following statement be included in the next presidential oath: “I do solemnly swear never to tweet, text, Instagram or Facebook messages to the American people.”

Linda Reed, Tampa