Coming up short

Regarding “Does Shortness Need a Cure?” (Aug. 11): Giving growth hormones to healthy children just because they will otherwise grow up to be short is silly. Being what an old-time Western writer called “tall in the saddle” has nothing to do with height.

Look at shorties like Audie Murphy, Alan Ladd and Jimmy Cagney. At 4 feet 10, I had not attended the local senior center very long before the leader asked me to be on the advisory board; today I disagree with people from the head office of the Parks and Recreation Department. I have spoken before councils and planning commissions on another matter. In years past, I got myself out of two different potentially dangerous situations simply by having presence.

Juanita Matassa

Santa Ana