{AMISH COMMUNITY NEWS} Vol. 3 No.1
February 16, 2010
Good News in the Plain Community DDC Clinic for Special Needs Children* Receives Healthy Tomorrow Grant and a Donated Car Since DDC Clinic for Special-Needs Children in Middlefield began treating patients in 2002, the doctors and researchers there have helped patients with 37 different genetic diseases but often, something as simple as transporting a patient to the clinic can be insurmountable. Now, thanks to a Healthy Tomorrow grant from the American Academy of Pediatrics and a donation from a local business owner, the clinic’s young patients are being transported to appointments in a new car. DDC Clinic will use its new 2010 Kia Rio - donated by Preston Superstore in Burton – to provide effective, convenient and acceptable transportation for patients. DDC staff expects this new service to result in earlier medical diagnosis; more effective treatment and better followup; decreased emergency room visits; as well as fewer hospital stays at larger, more costly urban medical centers; and ultimately reduced
overall clinic
costs. DDC Clinic staff will also use the car to travel to their Holmes County Outreach Clinic where they provide services once a month. In addition, Dr. Wei Li, a neurologist and visiting scholar, from Beijing, China working at DDC Clinic for the next year, will use the car to explore the area (this is his first time in the United States) and for travel to Case Western Reserve University and other local research facilities that partner with DDC Clinic. The car will be used on a predetermined schedule set by the staff at DDC Clinic. In March 2010, the Clinic received the Healthy Tomorrow Grant, which is a five-year grant and requires the Clinic to raise $100,000 of matching funds in years two through five, in order to receive $50,000 in grant money each year. The $9,800 value of the Kia Rio is considered part of the Clinic’s matching funds. The Clinic must raise grant-matching funds above and beyond its normal fundraising, which typically cover a portion of the Clinic
Our Way
Submitted by an anonymous reader There’s a story about a man who one day asked God what heaven and hell were like. The Lord showed the man two doors. Behind one was a large round table. In the middle of the table was a big pot of savory stew. There were people sitting around the table. They were all sad, thin and sickly. They were holding spoons with very long handles that were strapped to their arms and, although each one could reach into the pot of stew with their
spoon, none could get the spoon to their mouth. The spoon handles were just too long. The Lord said, “You have seen hell.” Snowman by Then the Lord took the man to another door. Behind that door was a room with a large round table and a pot Adam J. Detweiler
operating costs and some special programming. The grant money and matching funds will help the Clinic cover its operating expenses, in addition to enabling the Clinic to provide patient transportation. *DDC Clinic is a non-profit primary care and research facility for special needs children with rare genetic disorders. After many years of frustration trying to find answers for their children, a group of Amish parents with special needs children helped create a clinic where their children now receive the comprehensive diagnoses and care they need. Approximately onethird of the diseases found among these children are treatable so that, especially with early diagnosis and treatment, these patients can lead nearly normal lives. Today the Clinic represents a unique collaboration between the Amish and non-Amish communities, families, medical professionals and research scientists.
of that wonderful smelling stew in the middle and people sitting around the table with those long handled spoons strapped to their arms. But these people were well nourished, even plump, and happy and talking to each other.
The Lord said, “Now you have seen heaven.” The man said, “I don’t understand.” The Lord replied, “It is simple. You see, these people have learned to help each other.” And so when people have benefits and auctions and frolics and such to help other people, maybe you could say they are practicing for heaven.
Our next issue of Plain Country is Mar. 9. Deadline for submissions is Monday, Feb. 21. Advertising deadline is Monday, Feb. 28. Please send the information that you’d like to share with Plain Country to P.O. Box 626, Middlefield, OH 44062. You may also call 440-632-0782 or fax to 440-834-8933.