LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Alcohol, pregnancy don’t mix

5/3/2014

Your April 7 article about one of our clients, as well as Dr. Sterling Clarren, a respected researcher of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), gave an important message to women who contemplate pregnancy or who are pregnant (“Alcohol, pregnancy a risky mix; Binge drinking hurts fetus’ brain,” April 7).

Though the article talked about binge drinking, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other national organizations assert that there is no known safe amount of alcohol for a pregnant woman to drink.

As we near Mother’s Day, we honor the biological mothers and the adoptive parents who choose to get help for children with FASD. Double ARC provides diagnosis, training, and support to those with diffuse brain damage.

I thank The Blade for highlighting the risks of drinking alcohol during pregnancy.

JANET BOSSERMAN

Executive Director

Double ARC

Secor Road

 

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The verdict’s in: Kaplan’s terrific

Blade columnist Keith C. Burris’ April 22 commentary on Bobby Kaplan captured the flavor of Toledo’s hidden jewel (“Bobby Kaplan makes closing arguments for the law”). Mr. Kaplan is the epitome of hard work and dedication, with a fantastic set of values.

I met him 30 years ago when I was a young lawyer with a small office in his old domain, the Spitzer Building. He continues to be a role model for lawyers and nonlawyers of giving back to the community.

It has been amazing to watch him touch tens of thousands of lives during his distinguished career. His brilliance, hilarious stories, and honest opinions make him a legend in his time.

CHUCK BOYK

Madison Avenue

 

Kaplan’s example made impression

Long ago, a friend and I became involved in a legal defense fund for a member of the Black Panthers whom Mr. Kaplan was defending. I learned how Mr. Kaplan treated his clients and something about the rule of law.

I found that legal concept helpful when I served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ukraine for two years. I worked with a human-rights organization on a “know your rights” project in a Russian-speaking town in eastern Ukraine.

It may have been the voice of Mr. Kaplan that tilted me in that direction.

FRANCINE CURRO CARY

Sylvania

 

How one veteran helped another

While my wife and I were going through the checkout line at a local supermarket recently, we struck up a conversation with a young man who was a veteran of a recent conflict.

He noticed that I was wearing a World War II veteran’s cap. After he thanked me for my long-ago service, he paid for our sizable purchase.

Our protests were waved off with a smile by this generous young man, who said: “It’s something I want to do.” And we don’t even know his name.

JIM DROUILLARD

Kinder Road