ent000984-033

Would ?çHR Tom and Nancy were a young couple looking forward eagerly to the birth of their first child. A son was born to them and with that they found their happy dreams shattered. Their son was diagnosed at birth as a hopelessly retarded infant for whom their doctor recommended institutional care. Tom and Nancy now came to know a strange paradox of our society. Facing what has been characterized as the greatest of all personal tragedies, they were not, as might be expected, met on all sides by helping hands, by acceptance, and by public programs set up to assist them. The nature of their tragedy was such that centuries of misconceptions, false information, and taboos had left society ill prepared to help or, in fact, even to understand them. As a result, they faced their tragedy alone, with the results left wholly to chance and their personal strengths and weak- nesses. Perhaps they could adjust without mishap, or perhaps the result would be the further tragedy of mental or physical breakdown. Today, through the services being provided by PARENTS WITH A PURPOSE, INC., parents such as Tom and Nancy are no longer alone. Our four part program is aimed at preserving those threads so necessary if parents are to reweave the fabric of life in its new pattern. This program includes: Visiting Parents Financial Aid ex- Parents who have themselves perienced the tragedy of the birth of a retarded infant provide understand- ing and help by sharing their experi- ences with new parents. Interim financial assistance to help defray the cost of private placement until overcrowded state facilities have room, is provided in those cases in which a financial need exists. Public Education A program to promote interest in and understanding of retardation and to make the public aware of the in- creased need for public facilities is being developed by our five New York and upper New Jersey Chapters. Nursery A residence nursery is available and PWAP operation will commence as soon as sufficient funds are obtained. This nursery will be operated on a non-profit basis and will provide parent counseling, medical educa- tion, and research services desper- ately needed but not now available. It is estimated that 300 mentally retarded infants are born every day in the United States. PLEASE HELP US TO HELP THEM. Please Send Your Contributions and Inquiries to: m PARENTS WITH A PURPOSE, me. 23 East Street, New York 3, N.