LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Doctors don’t always know best
I was sad to see the full-page ad July 7 with the names of a thousand physicians who support abortion with no explanation necessary.
They insist that a woman should be free to “protect her future” even if it means preventing her baby from having a future at all.
When my friend had chemotherapy for her cancer, she didn’t know that she was in her early stages of pregnancy, a time when her baby was at great risk of being harmed.
Her doctor strongly suggested that she abort.
But my friend and her husband never considered ending their baby’s life. When the baby was born, he was perfect. Today he is a firefighter with children of his own.
Doctors don’t always know best. Dorothy Seitzinger, Lewis Center
Proud to serve city from the Far South Side
We commend Dispatch.com focus on the Far South Side in its recent June article, “Eight unique places that call the Far South Side of Columbus home.”
Much like our noteworthy neighbors mentioned in the story, Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging (COAAA) also contributes to the diverse service offerings available to not only the South Side community, but to residents living throughout Columbus and surrounding counties.
Previously located at the intersection of Fourth and Long streets in Downtown Columbus, COAAA has called the Far South Side home since moving to 3776 S. High St. in 2016.
One of 12 area agencies on aging in Ohio, and one of more than 600 such organizations nationally, COAAA helps individuals navigate the experience of aging or disability.
More specifically, COAAA connects older adults and individuals with disabilities to essential in-home services that promote independent living.
COAAA also supports family caregivers and educates professionals and the public on a number of aging topics. Details are located at www.coaaa.org.
Comprised of almost 400 employees, the agency serves eight counties: Delaware,
Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Licking, Madison, Pickaway, and Union. COAAA is proud to be part of the Far South Side community and a regional resource for central Ohio residents.
Steven Centofanti, communications manager, Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging
Happy Eid al-adha
Eid al-adha is being celebrated today. This religious holiday serves as a reminder that Judaism, Christianity, and Islam share a common religious forefather in the figure of prophet Abraham.
Traditionally on this day, a Muslim family sacrifices an animal, half of which goes to the poor, and half to one’s neighbor. Thus, Muslims are also required to remember and help the less fortunate as part of the celebrations. This also falls in line with the Holy Quran emphasizing the feeding of the needy.
The believers are described as people who “feed, for love of him (God) the poor, the orphan, and the prisoner, saying, ‘We feed you for Allah’s pleasure only. We desire no reward nor thanks from you.’” (76:9-10).
In essence, it is this spirit of Eid al-adha which reminds us that, in order to move forward as a nation through both joy and heartbreak, we should strive to secure the rights of others even if it comes with personal sacrifices.
Samar Ahmad, Pickerington