JUDGE NOT

I am writing this letter to draw attention to a problem I have not seen
discussed in this paper before today. It is an issue of prejudice.

I have a friend who has, unfortunately, an addiction to intraveneous drugs.
I do not condone the use of such drugs at all; in fact, the very idea is
abhorrent. But my friend developed an infection around her heart due to
this habit and was forced to check into the emergency room this past
Saturday at the Eighth Street campus of United Regional Health Care System.
The nurses there treated my friend horribly due to the condition of her
arms - one woman even went so far as to REFUSE to give my friend a
much-needed injection because of the state of her arms.

I would just like to say this: My significant other is training to be a
nurse and will surpass these people in their profession because he
possesses what many of them do not: COMPASSION. A nurse is supposed to
NURSE you back to health, NOT act as your judge and jury. So many people
have forgotten that one of the basic teachings of the Bible is, "Judge not,
lest ye be judged."

A hospital is a place of healing, not a place of judgment. To anyone in the
health-care profession, please remember that it is your job to comfort and
to cure, not to accuse and embarrass. My friend checked out of the hospital
against medical advice that same evening because she couldn't stand their
behavior. You know who you are, and if she develops a more serious
condition because she was, in effect, DENIED medical help, her illness will
be due, in part, to your actions. Let that weight sit on your shoulders for
a while.

One last note, to those who work at Helen Farabee, thank you! And keep up
the good work! You guys do your jobs well.

Name withheld