Can your faith save you?

Can your faith save you?

Re: Roshana Ariel's column on the mother who took her son out of state to prevent him from receiving chemotherapy and radiation treatments: One can't help but feel for people in this position, especially if it is against their religious belief. Perhaps she also felt that the treatment might harm him more than the cancer and not be effective anyway. I wonder how the young boy felt about it?

I can tell you from my own personal experience that if my parents had believed this, I just might not have been here today. Between the age of 5 and 6, I was suddenly afflicted by a severe kidney disease, nephritis. My parents immediately took me to see our family physician. Dr. William Holwerda, who sent me to a specialist, who sent me to the KU Medical Center, who treated me and put me on bed rest for six months. I still am grateful to all of these people who aided in my recovery and all of the prayers that were going out for me. Did we have a strong faith? Yes. Did we believe that I would be healed? Yes. Would I have been healed without medical treatment -- I don't know.

Do I think that God gives us people and professionals to help us with this process? Yes. I'll never forget my grandfather's statement: "Back in those days it was survival of the fittest." However, through our modern medical technology and advances we are given more chances to beat disease, and in the future we will have even more choices to make as the life span grows longer.

I certainly believe in the power of prayer, positive thinking and attitude. I also believe that in the case of children and the elderly, it is up to us to protect their right to life, for they are vulnerable and often cannot speak for themselves. My own mother will soon by 97, is basically of sound mind and good health and still appreciates every day. As long as she maintains her zest for life, will I do everything in my power to help her sustain it? Yes. She helped me through rough times, so now it's my turn, and we are glad for her medical staff and care. Sometimes we just need to encourage others that it's OK to let go, to believe in a Higher Power, which for me is eternal life through Jesus, and hope for a better life!

-- Joan Leighty, Salina, retired secretary, housewife

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