LETTERS TO THE EDITOR (02/23/03)

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Thanks for Fill's thoughtful letter

Dear Editor:

I wish to express my gratitude to Father Michael Fill for his thoughtful letter (January 26) in response to Myron Kuropas' column "War on Christmas." He convincingly shows the difference between the meaning of the external and internal professions of the Christian faith, and how we should be focused on Christ's deeper messages.

The founding fathers were very clear, on the one hand, about the government not establishing any religion, and on the other, that the government would not interfere with the right of anyone to express his belief in whatever religion he wishes.

At the time the Constitution was written, most of the citizens were Christian, so it must have been tempting to declare that the United States would be a Christian country. In their wisdom the Constitution's framers did not. Since then, our country has opened its arms to the world and has welcomed people of many beliefs, as well of those who are non-believers, and those words continue to hold all this diversity together.

I am forever grateful that my parents were among those welcomed here in the early part of the last century, and that they were free to celebrate in our old and dear Ukrainian way.

Yes, Christmas customs are beautiful: the creches, carols, stars, wreaths, lights, trees, "Sviat Vechori," and solemn liturgies. All these things should be gloriously and gratefully celebrated in the churches and homes of the faithful. The schools, the city squares and public places have been paid for by all our citizens, through our system of taxation. Each and every one of these contributing citizens with their many and various beliefs, is entitled to be free of any imposed celebration - no matter how beautiful and meaningful it may be to some other citizen.

Stephanie Sydoriak
Los Alamos, N.M.

Eye Project seeks support

Dear Editor:

The Ukrainian Eye Project is appealing to you for donations. This project was started in 1992 after the break-up of the USSR. We have made eight humanitarian missions to Ukraine to help, teach, perform surgery, etc. We have reached a time when we need to get some permanent quality equipment, such as a microscope.

Ukraine has a population of nearly 50 million. Generally, medical care is available mainly in the major cities, such as Kyiv or Odesa. Travel to these cities from the site we selected (Ivano-Frankivsk) is difficult because few people have cars and train travel takes approximately 15 hours each way. This is a major burden to the sick and partially sighted diabetic or glaucoma patient.

Both the medical care for the inhabitants and the medical training of physicians and nurses is spotty. The reasons for this state of medical care are lack of money for equipment and supplies, and a system of graft that deprives the average citizen of the meager resources available. In this environment, it is exceedingly difficult to accomplish the ordinary goals of medical care.

We have been able to access the ophthalmology department at an army hospital in Ivano-Frankivsk which has become a civilian facility. We have obtained an ocutome system, which is a device that is used to treat diabetic eyes that have hemorrhaged or produced traction retinal detachments. The chief of ophthalmic services from this hospital has twice been brought to the United States for focused training in use of the ocutome system. However, the ocutome system in Ivano-Frankivsk is incomplete at this time since it requires a good ophthalmic operating microscope.

With an ophthalmic operating microscope, one can also perform trabeculectomy procedures as a treatment for glaucoma. This procedure circumvents the reliance on medical treatment, which is unreliable in this region because the patients cannot afford the ophthalmic drops and they reach a stage where the drops no longer provide the relief necessary.

Statistically, patients that succumb to diabetic ocular complications have a life expectancy of approximately six years, due to kidney or other organ failure. At present, these patients have no treatment and are relegated to sit in a chair in the corner of one of the rooms in their two-room family apartments.

It is the objective of this project to delay onset of blindness in order to ameliorate the suffering and improve the quality of life for these patients, and to allow them to remain productive rather than become a burden on society.

This project is under the auspices of Aid for Ukraine. It is a 501 (a), 509 (a) (1), and 170 (b)(l) (A) (vi) organization. Tax ID No. 36 3851149.

William Selezinka, M.D.
San Diego, Calif.

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