PAGE 2 — WEST CRAVEN HIGHLIGHTS — MAY 18. 1989
GAIL
l//nTDS
Our Opinion
by; Gall L, Roberson >
The best helping hand you ever had is at the end of your own
wrist. Some of us reach out for help before we totally exhaust our
own supply. Helping yourself is the only real way to make it in this
world. In reality, helpingyourself helps others. It leaves them free to
help the ones who really need it. At times in our searching, we over
look the most important source of spiritual contact and growth that
is sleeping heavily on our own hearth. It's been resting there so long
that it often takes years to wake it, but it can be done if you shake it
hard enough.
Human nature being what it is, some of us allow ourselves to be
stranded in life, waiting for a helping hand to get us over a puddle in
the middle of the road instead of simply backing up, taking a run
ning start, and jumping over it ourselves. Could it possibly be that
we view the backing up and running as hard work . . . thus better
left to others?
Take, for instance, the man who was stranded on his rooftop as
dangerous flood waters rose around him. Many people came to offer
their help, but the man refused to leave his home, saying, “I’m a good
man. God will save me." Well, unfortunately, the man drowned.
When he got to heaven he was really annoyed and complained bit
terly. “God, why didn’t you save me," he questioned. God said, “I sent
you a log, four friends, two boats and a helicopter. What more did you
want? With some people it’s never enough."
I don’t mind helping anybody who is trying to help themselves,
but frankly, I am fed up with those who keep their hands out
stretched to the world instead of fixed steadily on pulling the weeds
from their own fields. I’m aware of poverty and disease and all the
disaktrous burdens some people cannot carry. And I believe in help
ing them. But, I’m equally aware of the ones who CAN get out and
don’t, and won’t. It’s the thing dangling at the end of their wrist that
they’ve forgotten about. When they get themselves out there and
start pulling the choking weeds from their lives, then I’ll take my
hoe and get out there with them. But until that time, my hoc goes on
over to another field where someone is down on their hands and
knees pulling weeds as hard as they can, and pulling hard in the
right places.
Charles Thomas Cayce recently told a story about a man who left
the bar and headed home after a few too many drinks. At his front
door, he dropped his key. Hours later, a friend who had been with
him, came by to check on him and found the man down the street at
the comer, on his hands and knees under the street light. When
questioned as to what he was doing, he replied that he was looking
for the key that he had dropped when he tried to open his front door.
When asked why he wasn’t looking for it in front of his door, he
looked up and said, “But this is where the light is."
Several times in the past. I’ve written out my grocery list without
checking my pantry. Each time, I returned home with items I was
sure I was out of, only to find I was stocked with, not one, but a num
ber of them, andneverreallyneededany atall. lhadbeen too lazy to
walk to the pantry and open the doors to examine what I already had
inside, so consequently, I went wrong. I was not in need after all, just
in need of checking my own larder before I went out for more.
A therapist friend of mine summed up the “helping hand” theory
like this. “If someone is willing to join their helping hand with my
helping hand, I can pull them from the deepest mire. But if it haijgs
limp at their side, all I can do is grasp for what little part of them I
can snag and hope for the best."
So, give someone a helping hand today. Someone you know. Real
well.
Honor Roll
The following students were
named to either the Principal's
List or the Honor Roll at West Cra>
ven Middle School for the fifth
grading period;
PrinclpaPs List
Sixth grade — Courtney Mor
ris, Greg Jackson, Andrea Smith,
Jennifer Bowers, Larry Walton
and Denise Johnston.
Seventh grade — Princess
West, Lonnie Long, Chad Brax
ton, Janet Pate, Jessica Stansell,
Michael Riggs, Tammy White,
Vera Dixon and Cormekki Brown.
Eighth grade — Heather
Bright, Heather Nowajewski, Me
lissa Phifer, Angela Bryant, Toi\ja
Freeman, Ivy Oakley, Candi Re
gister, George Smith and Kathryn
Eatmon.
Honor Roll
Sixth grade — Robert Wilson,
Shirley Campbell, Jennifer Ipock,
Stephanie Edwards, Robyn De-
moret, Wanda Toler, Keesha
Johnson, Renee Johnson, Jere
miah Lawhom, Natasha Patrick,
Timothy Peterson, Tracy Snipes,
Harry Stewart, Crystal White,
Kim Dixon, Tavail Staten, Me
lissa Whitfield, Tara Swindell,
Denton Carawan, Katherine
Dawson, David Garris, Crystal
Hill, Jay Norman, Travis Powell,
Andrea Purifoy, Holly French,
Mary Anderson, Jennifer Fore
man, Kelly Kirkman, Nicole Kite
and Cori Mott.
Seventh grade — Justina
Roberts, Arline Branton, Candice
Humphrey, Ferdinand Coward,
Andronica Crouell, Jason Brum-
below, Amy Bryan, Joshua Hayes,
Daphne Shirley, Tonya Simmons,
Lucinda Autry, Del Bennett, Kim
Melton, Jennifer Whaley, Joy
Webber, Elijah Pugh, Edward
Ipock, Clarke Hill, Lynda Gard
ner, Cheryl McCoy, Tammy Riggs,
Annya Broderick, Bobby Cox,
Kelly Komegay, Amy Williams,
Kim Burcham, Tavalas Staten
and Mandi Wetherington.
Eighth grade — Tina Filling-
ame, Cyndi Johnson, Tammy Ga
skins, Mechelle Morris, Rosemary
Riggs, Steven Varley, Tanya Web
ber, Tanikka Cox, Charlie Moore,
Amber Parker, Dena Davis,
Kristy Wilson, Brian Wilson, Ra-
marie Bazemore, Scott Bender,
Donna Laughinghousc, Stephanie
Weatherington, Dalton Gaskins,
Missy Haynes, Juanita Scott, Gla
cier Singleton, Jeff Schoch, Lisa
Ipock, Heather English, Connie
Chesner, Joe French and Kim
Dail.
Church Street
Ify Jent'va Hurroughs
iVrii York. N. Y.
Church Slmot in mid-artemoon sun
In almost quiet
Kxcepi for the noise of people
Echoing on brick walls
And wide glass windows.
Bouncing around and out
Into the w idc open air
Like thousands of pink balloons
Released from a thousand hands.
Jeneta Burroughs b a graduate stu
dent in Knglish literature at Columbia
I'nbersil) in New York Cil).
' 1969 PM eoior^ai Series III
Wurlitzer Pianos & Organs
Selmer Band Instruments
Guitar & Accessories
AffordabI* Rantal Programs Avallabla on
Pianos A Band Instruments, Bxcsllsnt Service
Fuller’s Music House, Inc.
Low Interest in-store financing available
216 Middle Street 636-2811 New Bern
Do You Want N.C. Governors
To Serve Six Year Terms?
Before this session of the North Carolina General Assembly ad
journs, it looks as if we may have a long list of proposed constitu
tional amendments on which we, the people, will decide with our
votes.
At least the constitution of our state cannot be amended unless
the people of the state with their ballots agree to amend it. That is an
excellent safeguard particularly in a day and at a time when the le
gislature has “amendment fever." There are likely to be so many
amendments on the ballot that acquainting the general public on
the meaning of each will pose a difficult task.
Now along comes a proposal to place an amendment on the ballot
giving the governor a six year single term. If anybody in North Car
olina has asked for such an amendment outside of a politician, we
have not heard it.
If such a six year term should be approved by the people and be
come a part of our constitution, we understand that the governor
would serve the six year term and be ineligible to run for re-election.
We much prefer four year terms for our governor. To put a person
in office for a six year term will remove him or her even more from
the people. We’ll hear the arguments made that giving the governor
six year terms will take a great deal of politics out ofthe office during
the term. That is nonsense. The office of governor is political, the
governor is generally looked upon as the titular head of his political
party in North Carolina, and even to suggest that politics will be re
moved is pure hogwash. It just does not happen that way.
This legislature is apparently dead set to place a half dozen or
more constitutional amendment proposals before the people. It
seemingly helps create an atmosphere for the defeat or the passage
of each one without a great deal of thought being given to any one.
We suspect legislators feel that passage will result rather than de
feat. In fact, a plan has gained some backing in the legislature to
place all the proposed amendments in one package and allow one
vote on the entire package. Now that will pose a big political fight,
and surely the people of our state will not stand by and approve any
such wholesale package. If it comes to a matter of one vote for a pack
age of a half-dozen constitutional amendments, then it will be easy
for the people to vote “no” on the entire conglomeration.
Already we have such other proposed amendments as four year
terms for legislators, veto for the governor, and abolishingthe right
of a governor to run for re-election. And there are others sure to be
there if the present trend continues.
If we get a bad governor who is out of step with the thinking of his
constituents, then we are stuck with that person for six years. At
least with four year terms, we can eliminate a bad one with four year
terms.
We cannot believe the people of North Carolina favor six year
terms for the governor or four year terms for legislators.
And if they are placed on aballot sometime in the future, the place
to register our disapproval is with the X in the “against” square.
Paying Patients Must Pay
For Non-Paying Patients
A very big question is asked ever so often, and when a person goes
to the hospital, this matter of insurance is extremely important.
Then Medicaid and Medicare truly are part of the story.
How much burden must a paying patient bear for non-paying pa
tient? That is the question asked so often.
Well, the North Carolina Hospital Association has given out fig
ures which show thatfor every dollar a paying hospital patient pays,
21 cents of that dollar goes to help pay the bill of those who cannot or
do not pay.
The report says that “the m^jor cause of hospital rate increases is
to make up for losses from charity, bad debts, and treating Medicare
and Medicaid patients." Thus, the association says that hospitals
shift the cost of uncompensated care to patients who can pay and to
their insurance companies. Thus hospital insurance rates continue
to rise as more and more uncollected dollars are adding up on the
hospital books.
C. Edward McCauley, president of the hospital associatioiijJj_
quoted as saying “most hospitals in the state would have to close or
drastically curtail care to uninsured patients without the cost shift."
Then we read that this cost shift has added some $758 million to the
bills of North Carolina hospitals.
Those in positions of responsibility in our hospitals continue to
look for better answers, but it seems they always come back to the
system of adding to the bill of the paying patient for what the non
paying patient cannot meet.
Now it is easy to say that if more of North Carolina’s poor people
were covered by Medicaid or if Congress would stop cutting back on
Medicare, the picture would be different. Yes, it could, but facing
stark reality is part of the very story we seek to discuss here.
If people cannot afford to pay the premiums for hospital insur
ance, then they also cannot afford to pay the hospital bills. But ill
ness knows no bounds, and the poor and rich alike, along with the
everyday citizens, get sick and need medical attention. Over North
Carolina already many smaller hospitals are fighting hard to stay
open. ^ _
As hospital costs continue to rise, the going becomes ever more
difficult for these small community hospitals. Yet, they play a dra
matic role in the well-being of the community.
We read that the average hospital costs have risen 22 percent be
tween 1984 and 1988. In that time Medicare rates have gone up 11
percent.
Many people still feel that hospital costs are higher than are
necessary. A given family today trying to make ends meet, feed and
clothe its children, send them to school, and then have a big hospital
bill thrust upon it, is in deep trouble — except for the fact that the
trouble is handed to the paying patient. And that paying patient
looks at his bill and shakes his head.
Is government doing its part? Are there better answers than the
ones now being used? Are hospitals treating paying patients unfair
on the economic basis?
Right now, there are far more questions than answers.
Ice Becomes Hottest Item Treating Injuries
By ALLISON COX
Physical Therapist
The application of ioe and heat
has been used for many years as a
treatment for a varity of condi
tions. Both have their own benefi
cial properties depending on the
nature of the condition being
treated.
The use of ice has gained in
creased acceptance in recent years
and is frequently the treatment of
choice. Ice has been used for many
centuries. It decreases local blood
flow and inflammation by slowing
down metabolism. It also causes
constriction of the blood vessels
which helps to decrease edema
(swelling) and hemorrhage (bleed
ing). Cold reduces nerve activity
which decreases muscle spastic
ity. It also has an enesthetic
(numbing) effect, reducing the
sensitiviey of the nerve endings.
Most people are familiar with
using ice after an acute injury like
an ankle sprain. Ice should he ap
plied for at least the first 36 hours
alter the iqjury and can be used
even longer. Employ the RICE for
mula: Rest, Ice, Ck^mpression, and
Elevation. Other conditions which
respond well to cold therapy are
bursitis, tendonitis and
tenosynovitis.
Further, spasticity (increased
abnormal muscle ton^) st^iiiming
from some cerebral vascular acci
dents (stroke) may also'^ de
creased using cold treatments, as
cold helps increase the effective
ness of exercise programs. Ice is
beneficial for sprains, bruises, and
contusions, to relieve pain and re
duce bleeding and edema.
Cold therapy can be applied in
several ways, including: (1) frozen
gel packs, (2) crushed ioe in plastic
bags wrapped in wet towels, (3) ice
water, and (4)ice massage with ice
cubes or ice cups (water frozen in a
styrofoam cup). The recom
mended treatment time is 15 to 20
minutes. Generally, the patient
will first experience a feeling of
coolness, followed by a brief period
of burning and aching and then
numbness. Numbness is the de
sired effect.
Some precautions to follow
when using ioe are sensitivity to
cold incertain patients, and the
possibility of frostbite in patients
with impaired sensation. Cold is
contraindicated in patients with
rheumatoid arthritis, Raynaud's
phenomena, lupus erythematosis,
and sickle cell anemia.
The use of heat also dates back
to ancient times and can involve
as little as basking in the sun. The
effects of heat are almost theoppo-
site of cold. Heat produces an in
crease in blood flow, an increase in
the production of edema, a de
crease in stiffness, reduced
muscle spasm, and decreased
pain. Heat may also produce an in
flammatory response; it can in
crease metabolism and bring ab
out a relaxing or sedative effect.
There are many forms of heat
therapy which can be employed
depending on the condition and
area to be treated. The three forms
of deep heating include short
wave, microwave and ultrasound.
They are available through a hos
pital physical therapy depart
ment and are used mainly when
the tissues to be heated are deep
within the body or are covered
with thick tissue.
Forms of superficial (external)
heat treatment include the appli
cation of hydrooollators or hot-
packs, paraffln (wax), whirlpool
treatment, infrared lamps, hot
water bottles, and electric heating
pads. For these forms of heat, the
treatment is recommended to last
20 to 30 minutes, depending on
the patient's tolerance.
Heat should not be used on pa
tients with \mpaired sensation, in
cases of hemorrhaging or trauma,
or at the site of a malignancy.
Further, care should be exercised
with patientssufferingfrom circu
latory problems, as blood flow may
not increase sufflciently to absorb
excess heat.
There is some controversy as to
when an acute problem becomes a
chronic problem and when one
should switch from ice to heat.
Some patients do well with conti
nuation of ice after the initial
treatment has ended. There may
be a longer duration of pain relief
after treatment when using ice
versus heat. Itoflen depends upon
the individual as to which treat
ment is more effective. Regardless
of the treatment used, the most.
important factor is to apply ioe or
heat as instructed by your physi
cal therapist or physician.
CRAVEN COUNTY BUSINESS AND SERVICES
Tolar ft Son Garago
Owner A Operator Louis lolei
Cusloin Eihausl ( Mvlfleis
Radiator - Tiansfliission
t Motor Setvica
Hwy 17| 3 mllat North of
Vancaboro
24 Hour Wrackar Sarviea
244*12S3
Braxton's
Stop ft Shop
* fritli SiHtai* * rimti Wit^i
* frosti CUkkint * Irocor^t
* Fraelly Atmosphtro
* AM kMt •! Frotia Toed
Opeo iTiry 0*y
* Fila t flatli lolbs
Hwy. 17 N. Vancaboro 244-14St
244-1381
H. M. B.
Mortis Plaza
Vanceboro
Complete Family
Insurance Coverage
Form Life Horlst
OFFICE 244-2519
After Hours Call:
Elva 244-1036
Jean 244-0847
Eve Ann 637-4437
SM Mieoil Of.
mw OMN, N.C. SOMft
TtLB^HONI M7-4SM
^oux ^J^lnmondtSloxt
gRbllf This ’N That
^ MINI FLEA
^ VARIETY
Just put sUle rest park
fr on 17-S. but icroM
the rosd-Formerly
in Neiise
River Csmpground.
New. Almost new. Old and Colleeiiblei-
Baby items & clothing Toys-Clothing-Flea
mirfcet items- Mirtitl Am Supplies, Novel
ties. Gifts, GUsswsre. t44-19IS
Opsn 2-4 IfLSol^Suiv Mrs. CmMy H. King
OLD BARN
FURNITURE CO.
“Good Used Furniture”
Hwy. 43
4 mi. from Vanceboro
Mon.-Sat.
9-6
244-0954
For Information about
advertising in the Business
Directory... Call Gene King
946-2144
West Craven
Highlights!
Cravan County's
Family Wsakly NO wspapsr
P.O.Box 487
Vanceboro, N.C. 28586
(Main Si. Across From PosI Office)
Publlthad Each Thursday
Ashlay B. Fulrall, Jr.
Publisher
Mika Voss
Editor a
TarrI Jamisson
Advertising Manager
And
StaffWriter
Edith Hodgas
Office Manager
Office Hours
Mon 8:30 am-10:30 am
Thurs. & Fri. 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Tslaphona 2444)780 or 94B'2144
IN-COUNTY RATES
Single Copy 25'
1 Year $7.36
2 Years'11.55
3 Years'15.75
OUT-OF-COUNTY RATES
1 Year *8.40
2 Years '12.60
3 Years '16.80
Ahova Ineludaa N.C. Tax.
Payable in advance. Subscribers
desiring their Highliglits termi
nated at expiration should notify
us of this intention, otherwise we
will consider it their wish to conti-
nue to receive the paper and they
will be charged for it.
U.S.P.S. 412-110
Second Class Postage Paid
Vanceboro, N.C.
Member: N.C. Press Association