THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, May 25, 1995 TAG: 9505240006
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A18 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 49 lines
As Agustina Disuma proudly displays her newly constructed face (``In 8 hours, a young girl's life changed - forever,'' MetroNews, May 9), my heart can only go out to the Long family (``Pain lingers from 1993 hit-and-run,'' MetroNews, May 9).
It's disheartening to see an innocent family become victim of someone else's stupidity, but why should the Long family, and especially Keith, have to suffer? Unfortunately for them, that is how America now works. You work hard toward the ultimate American Dream only to see it ripped away from you in a split second. It's hard to fight back, but it must be done, as the Long family is trying to accomplish.
Ms. Disuma was flown into the United States from the Philippines for free surgery to fix a facial hernia that made her ``a virtual recluse.'' As Dr. William Magee said, ``If she were born in the States, this would have been taken care of when she was maybe 3 months old.'' Maybe, but definitely not for free!
Meanwhile, Keith Long's family is being refused disability benefits for Keith, who must start his life over due to serious injuries resulting from a hit-and-run accident. The family owes more than $30,000 in medical bills. Only one of Keith's doctors continues to see him; the others refuse to do so until their bills are paid.
The perfect example of the American way! We can't help our own people in their medical plights, yet we can offer free surgery to someone ``born to a poor family on the far side of the world.'' Meanwhile, Keith's mother has to hope that ``maybe somebody has heart'' to help her family with the bills and the accident report.
Why do so many people put off seeing anyone for medical advice? They fear winding up in Keith Long's position of owing thousands of dollars and having a doctor not want to see them because they owe money.
I'm glad Ms. Disuma can now be proud of her new face, but I can only sympathize with the Long family. As Dr. Magee stated, ``When people help one another, miracles happen.''
Why isn't anyone helping the Long family to make a miracle happen for them?
BOBBI LOSEE
Virginia Beach, May 10, 1995 by CNB