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Cancer patients face many battles, 1/21

I recently found out that a wonderful woman in our community is undergoing chemotherapy to combat breast cancer. I write you with the hope of changing the way people respond to cancer survivors in public.

People fighting cancer - any cancer - endure harsh, appearance-altering treatments such as chemotherapy. Society is not ready to deal with these new appearances.

I am greatly saddened that people battling this disease also must battle a society with such little understanding of the lasting effects of the very treatments that keep them alive.

Statistically, cancer of some type will affect every one of us, whether it be a close friend or a relative, or the friend or relative of a close friend. There is not nearly enough education for the public about how to react to the new image someone takes on during treatment.

My friend is one truly beautiful person from the inside out, yet she apologized for the way she looked while on her way to attend the three-day walk against cancer in October. She is bald from the chemotherapy and embarrassed. She feels unattractive and has seen people avoid eye contact, even when she wears her hat. She is still beautiful, and I always look her in the eye.

I only now realize that cancer and its treatments take away more than just the hair on your head, and battling the disease itself is only half of the battle. Perhaps those who read this letter will know that these survivors are fighting more than a disease; they are battling numerous side effects.

They are brave people who deserve to be looked in the eye as we pass by them, instead of looked away from in shame. They are strong. They are proud. They are the inspiration for those of us who might be afflicted with the very same disease and treatments tomorrow. Survivors of these treatments are not ashamed of how they look; they are ashamed of how society looks at them.

Society should embrace those surviving cancer by looking them in the eye and saying, "Congratulations! You're a survivor, and you are beautiful."

The next time you feel a little uneasy around someone who appears less fortunate than yourself, maybe you will realize it is you who is unfortunate, for you will walk away the weaker one.

Cathy vonKlock, Brooksville

Developers vs. 'fair balance'

As a prescription pharmaceutical sales representative, I am bound by law to offer "fair balance" when detailing physicians. I can't make false statements. I can't mislead. I must disclose possible adverse side effects, etc. Simply put, the Federal Drug Administration demands, under penalty of law, that I act in good faith with honesty and truthfulness.

Imagine a law in Hernando County by which developers were held to the same standards. What if developers were mandated to offer "fair balance" when they argued their cases for rezoning or approval before county commissioners?

The controversial Hickory Hill development proposal once again will be brought before the commissioners. What if "fair balance" was imposed? Maybe it would go something like this:

Developers: There is a clear market demand for an upscale development with homes starting in the high $300,000 range.

Fair balance: The average Hernando County resident's annual income is less than $30,000.

Developers: If Hickory Hill is approved, residents who can purchase these homes will move here.

Fair balance: 8.47 miles to the west is the comparable community of Southern Hills. It started selling lots in June. Approximately seven residents are living on the property.

Developers: Changing the comprehensive plan and allowing 1,700 homes will have no negative impact on the surrounding rural area.

Fair balance: Sinkhole formation in Florida is aggravated and accelerated by urbanization. Development increases water usage, alters drainage pathways, overloads the ground surface and redistributes soil. The number of human-induced sinkholes have doubled in Florida since 1930.

Developers: Hickory Hill will offer growth in harmony with natural conditions.

Fair balance: That's an oxymoron.

Developers: We will pay our fair share of road improvements, etc.

Fair balance: The county Planning Department staff determined that the development's impact fees will fall as much as $28-million short of paying for its share of new infrastructure.

What if the commissioners just stood by their comprehensive plan and the developers designed Hickory Hill accordingly? That seems fair, and that seems to meet the criteria for "fair balance."

Cheryl McCormick, Brooksville

Your voice counts

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[Last modified January 20, 2007, 21:27:20]