Children Speak Out About Health Care
By JOSELYN KINGArticle Photos
Children spoke out on the issue of health care during a march and rally in downtown Wheeling Monday.
Youths attending the Children's Defense Fund's "Freedom School" at Laughlin Chapel joined with other Freedom Schools across the nation Monday in commemorating "The National Day of Social Action." The "Freedom School" at Laughlin Chapel is the only one in West Virginia.
The issue of health care was selected by those at Laughlin Chapel, as they suspect many of the elementary school-aged youths attending the "Freedom School" don't have access to medical treatment when they need it.
"We want health care for all citizens - especially children," said Marcy Allen, director of programming at Laughlin Chapel. "Children too often get left when it concerns anything, and usually they're the most affected."
She noted that she and the staff of Laughlin Chapel's "Freedom School" have been working at informing the young children about the national health care issue, and some reacted as if they had just heard a horror story.
"Some didn't know about health care," Allen commented. "When we told them that there were some people who when they get sick can't go to the doctor, some of them actually cried."
A goal of "Freedom School" is to teach the children to channel their emotions and voice concerns in a positive way, according to Pastor Fran Lawrence, executive director of Laughlin Chapel. As such, the youths were shown how to make signs touting their feelings about health care, and how many don't have proper health insurance coverage.
The children carried these signs as they marched from the chapel to Heritage Port on Monday. A number of motorists - many of them elderly - were seen honking their horns in support of the youths' message.
The youngsters enjoyed this acknowledgment of what they had to say, and it reinforces the notion that they can have a positive voice in the world that can affect people, Lawrence said.
"We're showing them that maybe the system doesn't work - but that we're all part of the system," she continued. "And we can change it."
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Feedup
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07-20-09 9:31 PM
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If you really are up set about this, you need to contact First Presbyterian Church, 1307 Chapline St. in Wheeling 304-232-3383 as Laughlin Chapel is part of their ministry or you can complain to the Upper Ohio Valley Prebytery 907 National Rd. Wheeling 304-232-3490. It is shameful that the Presbyterian Church would allow such brainwashing of the children they are to help. They need to be teaching about self-reliance and the teaching of Jesus, not what the government can do for you.
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TheRealityPolice
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07-15-09 10:16 AM
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Sick when children are used in political demonstrations like this - reminds me of a communist country - wait, we ARE becoming one under Commandant Obama!
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88WVU93
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07-14-09 1:38 PM
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Did they also mention to the kids that it's mommy's responsibility to provide health care for them? And the BS about not being able to go to the doctor is horsehockey. They all go to the ER when they get the sniffles and the 50% of us that pay taxes pick up the tab.
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sailaway
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07-14-09 7:59 AM
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These children are victims of poverty because their parents were unreliable.....how many to unwed mothers and welfare abusers? They should be taught that you don't have babies until you have a home and a stable income......
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sailaway
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07-14-09 7:57 AM
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Why don't we start teaching them to be self-sufficient? To get a good education and pay attention to teachers so that they excape poverty, move out of this valley, get a good job WITH BENEFITS! That's what we should be teaching them day in and day out! People need to learn from a very early age to be RESPONSIBLE FOR ONESELF!
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