Letters To The Editor May 2024
Food For Thought
Re: Last month’s Climate Crisis column headlined “A Pox On Plastic”: What are Whole Foods, Sprouts and Natural Grocers doing to reduce plastic consumption? Nobody expects King Soopers to do much, but we expect more from companies who give the impression they are concerned about the environment. Thank you.
Jim Warland, Park Hill
Walking To Cure Arthritis
Do you know someone who has arthritis? Given that one in four American adults has it, hundreds of thousands of kids in the U.S. have it, and one-third of U.S. veterans have it, it’s likely that you do. Arthritis and other rheumatic diseases keep people of all ages and walks of life from doing the things they love. Here in Park Hill, we have painters, gardeners, caregivers, sporty kids, and so many others whose quality of life and mental health are affected by arthritis.
In my case, my kiddo was diagnosed with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis at just two years old. I remember sitting in the doctor’s office with my head in my hands wondering how we were going to keep our baby safe and happy in the midst of a chronic disease that is costly to treat, and for which many medicines are ineffective. Luckily, the doctor handed us a pamphlet and a care package from the Arthritis Foundation that changed our whole outlook. In the eight years since then, we’ve been so grateful to benefit from the medical research and community support that AF funds and organizes. Thanks in part to the AF, my kiddo has a community of kids and grownups who understand how lonely and debilitating this disease can be, as well as access to doctors and medicines that are making a tangible difference in their quality of life.
May is Arthritis Awareness Month, and it’s my goal to raise awareness not just through letters like this, but also through events like the Walk to Cure Arthritis, which is happening in Washington Park on May 19. Please consider this a personal invitation from your neighbor: If you’ve been affected in any way by arthritis, please come join this community that wants to welcome and support you in your journey. It’s a carnival theme this year, so bring the whole family. Walk, roll, crawl, or sit. We just care that you’ll be there to share in community and raise much needed funds for research and treatment for a cure. WalkToCureArthritis.org/Denver.
Cynthia Pesantez, Park Hill resident
and Arthritis Mom
We love your letters, and give preference to those that address an issue that has been covered in the newspaper, or a topic that is Park Hill or Denver-specific. Send letters to editor@greaterparkhill.org, and include your full name, and the neighborhood in which you live. Deadlines are the 15th of each month, for the following month’s issue.