KTMS Radio Commentary
Each year, some
350,000 children are born to mothers who are addicted to cocaine. And
40,000 children are born with alcohol-related birth defects.
Those staggering
numbers have tremendous implications for our health care system and
our school systems.
These children are
likely to have strikingly short attention spans, poor coordination,
and language problems. They are almost two times more likely to need
special education.
Their ability to
learn is severely hampered by their physical challenges. Yet so much
of these consequences are preventable, which makes it all the more
tragic.
For example,
one-fifth of America’s preschool children have not been vaccinated
against polio. Yet the heartbreak and consequences of this terrible
disease are completely preventable.
One-fourth of all
pregnant women get no physical care of any sort during the crucial
first trimester of their pregnancy.
It is estimated
there would be one-fifth fewer handicapped children if the mother
received just one physical exam in the first trimester.
Modern medicine can
detect all sorts of potential problems. And basic care can prevent
many common maladies.
We know that
children are our future. We know that they will lead our world. We
know our future is in their hands.
What are we doing
about their future, right now, while we can?
