Editor's Note: Last issue, we printed a letter from Ingrid Noyes. Here, in an edited form, is one from her passenger ...
Dear Folknik,
I'm writing in response to a letter by Ingrid Noyes I saw in the Folknik regarding an auto accident at Camp Harmony. I think it's wonderful to be part of a community in which someone can ask others for help in a time of need. I would like to fill in a few details.
I am the passenger who was injured in the accident. The chiropractor at camp diagnosed the injury as sternoclaidomastitis, gave me an adjustment, and gave me ibuprofen. When he examined me the next day he commented that it would "take awhile" to heal. As I was looking out the passenger window when the impact occurred, there was no head rest to absorb the shock, and torn ligaments and muscles had resulted.
After camp, when continued chiropractic treatment did not produce satisfying results, I consulted an orthopedist, who prescribed physical therapy for pain management and strengthening. I really had no choice but to file an insurance claim, given the severity of the injury and the mounting medical bills. Now, 3 months after the event, my medical bills have exceeded $4000. I am paying them from my own personal funds and the medical payment from my own insurance medical policy. Though I opened the claim against my policy, I was required to name the driver in the report, and my agent registered the claim, naming both my and the driver's insurance policies. The second claim will be dropped if sufficient funds remain from the medical payments in my policy to cover my costs. To date, I have drawn NO funds against the driver's policy.
In the 3 months since the accident, I have been unable to work. I am a freelance writer, and must be able to sit at a computer --no work, no wage. For the past 2 months I've taken out personal loans to pay my rent and utilities; without auto insurance I would not have had access to the necessary medical treatment. I write this not to inflame debate, but to air missing elements in the story. Inasmuch as I have to date, I wish to remain anonymous.
Gentlemen:
I belong to the Vancouver Folk Song Society. We sing on the first and third Wednesday of every month, and on the second Wednesday of each month we have special parties at the homes of members.
The year 1997 was the fiftieth anniversary of the Citizenship Act of Canada. I have started a special commemorative project by writing a 4-page typed report, wich I sent to my Member of Parliament, on the topic of Skipping Traditions--With or Without a Rope, to help people with special needs. I am a below-knee amputee, and am interested in teaching skipping dances to other leg amputees. I also belong to the Cambodian War Ampautees Rehabilitation Society. In Cambodia, many children are losing their limbs when they step on land mines.
Examples of skipping traditions are (1) 2 people turning a rope and singing a song, with the rope slapping the pavement to the beat of the music; (2) a person running and skipping while singing a song, making the rope slap the pavement to the beat of the music; and (3) 2 people holding the ends of the rope, and a third person jumping over the rope in the middle. Skipping is a great tool for the dissemination of folk songs!
Yours truly, Vaughan Evans, 2181 W. 38th H401, Vancouver, BC V6M 1R8 CANADA.
Ashkenaz is doing pretty well with the fundraising to buy the Ashkenaz building- -thanks to the nearly 600 folks who have already donated. We are now within $50,000 of reaching our goal, but we only have until the middle of June to raise that money. If you've been thinking of making a donation towards the purchase of the Ashkenaz building, now is the time to send your check!
We are also launching a new, limited-time program: LIFETIME MEMBERSHIPS in Friends of Ashkenaz We're offering two (2) different types of Lifetime Memberships--$2,500 gets you free admission to Ashkenaz for the rest of your life, and $4,000 gets you plus a guest free admission for the rest of your life! And you'll receive Ashkenaz's monthly calendar by first-class mail. Both types are available only until May 15, 1998.
Donations are tax-deductible; the benefits you receive determine the exact amount that's deductible. Simple donations to Ashkenaz earmarked for the building fund are entirely tax-deductible. Checks made out to "Ashkenaz Music & Dance Community Center" can be sent to Ashkenaz, 1317 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley, CA 94702. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at <Cleoma@aol.com>, or phone me at 510-848-5018.