Handicapped

Seeing President Clinton struggling in a wheelchair and on crutches reminds me of a quote attributed to Elenaor Roosevelt when her husband was in office. A reporter tried to ridicule the crippled president and asked, “Don’t you think your husband’s handicap affects his ability?” After a long pause she replied, “Yes it does. Only a person who has suffered so much can truly empathize with the American people.” How ironic that soon Roosevelt’s statue will be dedicated in Washington sans crutches or canes or wheelchair.

It was a great privilege to have been asked a couple years ago to be a driver in the presidential motorcade on Clinton’s visit to the desert. I knew that because my legs were affected by polio they would scream for days, but I didn’t care. His vitality, charisma and strength will always impress me.

However, now he knows first-hand the problems of the handicapped: vans, stairways, assistance, fatigue, etc. But he doesn’t know the financial costs of the permanently handicapped, many who live below the poverty line.

The blind and seniors have tax advantages and they’re entitled to them, but most handicapped, frankly, just have to eat it. Vehicle modification, home help, walking aids just have to be “absorbed.” If the president had campaigned with the crutches as a permanent extension of his arms would this have been an issue?

KURT SIPOLSKI

Palm Desert