The most important vote you'll cast next Tuesday

The most important vote you'll cast next Tuesday
EDITOR:
On Nov. 4, 1988, Terry Sean Crogan was born "different." Could we ever have known the long journey we were to embark upon. We were scared but felt up to the task. How could we not want to provide the very best that we could to this adorable little boy who was conceived out of love.
This is a journey so many parents and guardians have embarked upon for generations. I am certain they felt the same as we did and still do. My son is now l6 years old. Others are grown adults. Some are still pre-schoolers. What we parents and guardians share is the common bond of trying to navigate a very complicated system in order for our children/adults' lives to be enriched so they can reach their potential.
MRDD provides the assistance we need in raising our "special" children and adults. They provide access to Leonard Kirtz School, adult day programs, service and support administration, support employment and residential placement assistance when sadly, parents and guardians become too old to take care of them. They even provide a wonderful facility on Javit Court where they can go when they are too old to handle the obligations required of them in a workshop facility. Yes, I have dreams for my son just as anyone else. I wish Terry to have the tools he will need to live his life to the fullest extent. I wish that he will be prepared to live and work in the community -- and be able to make a contribution to society in a meaningful way. Terry will need much assistance getting to where he needs to be and I know MRDD will be there to provide it.
Not one of us is exempt from ever needing the services of MRDD. I thought it would never happen to us, but it did. MRDD guided me with much sensitivity and concern since his birth. We cannot forget that MRDD holds the responsibility of these "special" folks lives from birth to death. It is a lifelong commitment for both parents/guardians and MRDD.
It is especially important at this time that voters realize MRDD has lost important government funding as of July 1, 2005, and must now rely on voters more than ever to continue the programs for each generation to come.
I encourage any voter to visit a workshop facility or spend time with an MRDD identified child or adult. It could be a life-changing experience, as they represent the epitome of simplicity and love, something we all could benefit from.
When my husband and I leave this earth, our final wish is that it will be a better place because Terry is a part of it. I am counting on MRDD to see to it that his needs are being met and I know they will be doing the very best they can. There is much comfort to parents and guardians in knowing that.
Please, for the sake of my special son, Terry, and all of the other special children and adults in Mahoning County, vote a resounding YES for Issue 8 -- MRDD's renewal levy. It will be the most important vote you will cast on election day.
Thank you.
LEONA CROGAN
Youngstown
Misplaced priorities
EDITOR:
In reading the Oct. 26 paper, I was puzzled by the decision to place the story of William Williams and his execution on page 1 while Rosa Park's death and her story was positioned on page 6.
While I am sure that Mr. Williams' family is grieving, I would think that more people know and have been influenced by the life of Mrs. Parks in the Mahoning Valley.
May I highly recommend that your front pages celebrate the good news so we can better prepare for the bad news on other pages? You do not have much local competition and you could afford to try this experiment.
ZONDA HAASE
New Middletown