Nussbaum Family

I have to call your attention to the article about Paul Nussbaum (“Victim of Freeway Shooting Talks of Despair, Suicide,” Dec. 23).

We, his family, have suffered even more from this irregular reporting of his thoughts and feelings. We question why you would print statements attributed to him by someone else, and as you wrote, someone who is “angry.” We deny that Paul ever encouraged anyone to consider suicide. How could you report this without evidence? You have really added insult to his severe injury and our grief already has endured more than five years.

Paul is very current with all the research on paralysis and spinal cord injury--in fact, he and his family have raised $35,000 for the American Paralysis Assn. Paul wrote the solicitation letter himself using one finger with difficulty on a computer.

When a gentle soul struggles with pain, appropriate depression and the issue of his life, is it anyone’s right to invade that private place and distort his reality?

Does anyone but God know and should anyone but God judge?

GLORIA NUSSBAUM

Rolling Hills Estates