Consider being an organ donor

To the editor:

Since April is recognized as Donate Life Month both nationally and here in Kentucky, I feel this is a good time to thank the many Oldham Countians who have supported organ and tissue donation at our drivers’ license counter by donating $1 in support of our Kentucky Circuit Court Clerk’s Trust for Life and by placing their name on the new Kentucky Organ Donor Registry.

Since May, when the donor registry question became a part of our drivers’ license renewal program, more than 280,000 Kentuckians have placed their names on the Kentucky Organ Donor Registry. More than 5,800 names have been placed on the registry from this office.

Organ, tissue and cornea donation saves thousands of lives in our country each year and vastly improves the lives of thousands more. Currently, there are more than 750 names on organ transplant waiting lists here in Kentucky.

Please consider being a registered organ donor and be prepared to say “yes” when you renew your Kentucky driver’s license or state ID.

Linda G. Mason

Oldham County Circuit Court Clerk

Oldham’s tourism unmatched

To the editor:

Recently, I had the opportunity to spend some time in your charming town. As a travel writer, during the past few years, I have traveled extensively throughout Kentucky searching for stories to write. It was the insistence of Kim Buckler that led me to La Grange. It is because of her, and the enthusiasm for the community, that I am now hooked!

What took me so long? My thanks to Ms. Buckler and all of the wonderful, friendly downtown shop owners for making me realize what I have been missing. But not anymore.

I trust that your city and county leaders know what they have in Ms. Buckler. Believe me when I say many city and county leaders across Kentucky are clueless when it comes to how important tourism is. It’s too bad they don’t realize the economic engine that tourism is.

Because of my visit, I will be including the downtown shopping district as a single entity in a new book I have written, “Shopping Your Way Across Kentucky ... 101 Must Places to Shop.” It will be released in early fall.

And by the way, a person can travel all over the world and not stay in a finer bed and breakfast than Cheryl Sabin’s Blue Grass Country Estates, located at the edge of town.

This thing called tourism is really kind of simple. Visitors come to town, eat in your restaurants, shop in your shops, stay overnight and leave. If they have a good time they’ll return and even tell others. And through it all you didn’t have to build one smokestack, give away land for a factory or worry about the environment.

My wife and I did all of these things when we were there, and look forward to a return visit.

Gary P. West

Bowling Green

Learn the symptoms of child abuse

To the editor:

April is National Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month. It is everyone’s responsibility to be informed and know what to do. The first step in helping abused children is learning to recognize the symptoms of child abuse. The following indicators are clues that can help you identify the needs of children and their families:

The child has unexplained burns, bruises, broken bones, black eyes, (especially after an absence from school); is afraid of physical contact; is frequently absent or late for school; begs/steals food or money; lacks medical or dental care; is consistently dirty or has severe body odor; has difficulty walking or sitting due to genital pain, itching or bleeding; fears a particular person or displays intense dislike of being left somewhere or with someone; has unusual interest or knowledge of sexual matters, expresses affection in ways inappropriate for a child of that age; is delayed in physical or emotional development; has attempted suicide; reports lack of attachment to parents.

The parent gives conflicting, unconvincing or no explanation of the child’s injury; describes child as “bad,” “evil,” “different,” or “difficult”; uses harsh punishment; may have severe personal problems; mental illness; substance abuse, etc.; has history of physical or sexual abuse as a child; is unduly protective, severely limiting social contact or is secretive and isolated; constantly blames, belittles or berates the child; overtly rejects the child.

The second step to preventing child abuse is to report it. It is the law. Failure to report is a class B misdemeanor and can lead to a find or even jail time.

If you suspect that a child may be abused or neglected, call the police if it is an emergency or call the regional Child Abuse Hotline at (888) 403-5090, or state hotline at (800) 752-6200.

Court Appointed Special Advocates learn to recognize signs of child abuse in 30 hours of training on how to advocate for a child who is a victim of abuse and/or neglect. CASA volunteers are regular people just like you who make a choice to make a difference in child’s life by advocating for them in court.

Become a CASA volunteer. Become a powerful voice in a child’s life! For information, call 225-4424. A representative will be happy to talk with you. You may also visit www.casajc.org.

Bonnie Williams

CASA volunteer