Easmr' To Save One's Own Soul
. ', "o" ,u'.o. 'Must Retarded Child
@ N A,, WORD TOTHERICH: ways carrytineupsbecausethegivergetsa Be I tit tio li ed?
'E WHO WAS RICH became poor ring of satisfaction as he hears his coin jingle
' ' for our sakes that we might be- 00o*t00e 00ordw00n*00oomp,e,,aoo., ns u na z
come rich." St. Paul applies these words mity; He would have your gift take wings so
to Our Lord, Who emptied Himself of the glory you could never see where it went. By REV. JOHN L. THOMAS, S.J.
Associate Professor, St. Louis University
of His Divinity to make us spiritually impover- 3--Our Lord said we should give to the We've been debating our problem /or the past nine
John Eekhart
ished souls rich in His grace. And that same poor because ',they have nothing to repay yedrs and need advice. One at our sons, aged 14, is men.
Tom Merton, A Complex Being
By JOHN J. ECKHART
"A THOMAS MERTON READ. This book is our evidence.
ER," edited by Thomas P. The beauty of Morton never
McDonnell, Harcourt, Brace , fails, but how far we wander
& World, 553 pp., $5.75. from the path of perfection
T MUST BE a very com-
plex thing to be a
Thomas Morton.
I believe this because I know
so little about contemplation
and the well springs of action
that are engendered by this
difficult road to sanctity.
I should think the ordinary
person, even as you and I,
needs collapse in a pile from
time to time to gather the ver-
dure for the next charge.
Father M. L o u i s (Thomas
Morton) entered the Monastery
of the Cistercians of the Strict
Observance (Trappists) at Geth-
semani, Kentucky in 1941.
Most persons realize that
the rule of St. Benedict leaves
little room for idle jabber or
frivolous gold bricking, and
even less among the Trap-
plats. What time is not spent
in the liturgical office, study,
and manual labor, is left to
the monk. He spends it pray-
ing for us.
Father Louis has no sine-
cure in all of this. He carries
on his monkish duties as de-
tailed above, has been made
Master of Choir Novices, and
continues his work within the
talents God has given him,
those of one of the finest writ-
ers of the Catholic, or rather,
Christian milieu.
This book is an inspired in-
gathering of Morton, one long
awaited for presentation.
Part of the complexity that
it must be, to be Morton, is
the disturbing knowledge that
one is a very fine writer, more
even, an exceptional practition-
er of the oft spiritual task of
inter-h u m a n communication,
and yet know that the talent
is nothing, worse than that,
it is probably worthless in the
eyes of men.
he would have us follow. His
essays on perfection, silence,
comtemplation, and prayer
have always been his prime
expression, best matching his
craftsmanship and his desire
for our sanctity.
These essays, from his works
such as "The Ascent to Truth,"
"Seeds of Contemplation," and
"No Man is an Island," I be-
lieve to be his finest.
Father M. Louis the poet is
also represented. As any good
poet, Morton ranges from sub-
lime to very good. The editor
has included Morton's b o n e
chilling indictment, "Chant to
Be Used in Processions Around
a Site with Furnaces," as well
as his fast moving "For my
brother: Reported Missing in
Action: 1943."
The past few years Father
M. Louis has been doing some
amount of specialty writing in
the field of Oriental mystical
thought.
He reminds us that Chris-
tianity could use some of this
thought. While I disagree with
him as concerns degrees of
importance, F a t h e r Louis
writes with profound sincer-
ity. He writes equally well in
annihilating the "just war"
polemic in this time of the
megacorpse.
Once I made argument with
Morton in these thoughts. The
power of his writing has shift-
ed my emphasis at least. His
concern for Christ in all of His
members is so very obvious
with Morton. He wears his
spiritual heart on his Trappist
sleeve.
While I disagree with some
of his thoughts as expressed in
"The Catholic Worker," I re-
main impressed by the talent
of Morton, the scholar and
writer.
I know of nothing of his that
I have not read, including the
myriad introductions and trans-
lations he has done, essays in
various hidden corners of Cath-
olic esoterica, and of course
all of his major works.
This, rather than qualifying
me, probably mitigates
against real objectivity. There
have been those among my
acquaintanceship, who consid-
er Merton so "far out" that
they look on his toss of faith
and apostasy as imminent.
They can not have read this
"far out" monk with any de-
gree of intimacy or understand-
ing. He does his best to chart
for us that most turbulent of
oceans, our immortal souls.
He always reminds us that
any vocation, monkish or not,
calls for perfection. While he
may be a little out of touch,
as noted in his cliche treat.
ment of the American tourist
abroad, he retains iosights that
would do well to heed.
Especially when he has made
it so easy for us as a writer.
We recommend this book
as an excellent summary of
Morton's spiritual charts.
One last thought.
The least of his writings are
• represented in his book reviews.
But by this time we should all
be aware that the book review
generally represents the low
ebb of human creativity.
Feature Films On Television
Bellingham KING-TV (NBC) Channel 5
KVOS-TV Channel 12 KIRO-TV (CBS) Channel 7
Tacoma
Seattle KTNT-TV (CBS) Channel 11
KOMO-TV (ABC) Channel 4 KTVW-TV Channel 13
MOTION PICTURE CLASSIFICATION BY NATIONAL
LEGION OF DECENCY: A-I--Morally Unobjectionable for
General Patronage; A-II--Morally Unobjectionable for Adults
and Adolescents; A-III--Morally Unobjectionab;e for Adults;
B--Morally Objectionable in Part for All; C-Condemned;
SC--Separate Classification; NR--No Rating Available.
(Note: The ratings listed below were those given the
original movies. Most films before being shown on tele-
vision are edited to conform to the television code and
to the individual station's time schedule. For this reason,
ob/ectionable parts contained in the original plot may be
deleted in the television version and thus the original
Legion rating may not be entirely correct.)
SATURDAY, MAY 25
1:45 ).m.--KIRO-TV--Chlcago Deadline .................................. A-II
4:00 ).m.KTNT-TV--Haunted Gold ....................................... NR
S:00 ).m.KING-TV--Master Minds ....................................... NR
d;:30 ).m.KTVW.TV--Gun Smugglers ..................................... A.I
9:00 ).m.--KING-TVThe Egyptian ......................................... B
10:00 hm.KTNT.TV--Dark Passage ...................................... A-II
11:00 ).m.--KVOS-TV--Destlnatlon Tokyo ................................... A.I
11:00 ).m.KIRO-TV--The General Died at Dawn ......................... A.ll
11:05 ).m.--KOMO.TV--Scene of the Crime ............................... A.II
SUNDAY, MAY 2Jr
12:00 Noon--.KOMO-TV--She's Dangerous .................................. A-II
2:00 P.m.--KVOS-TV--West of the Zanzibar ................................ A-I
2:30 P.m.--KIRO-TV--The Big Clock ....................................... A-II
4:30 P.m.--KTVW-TVWIse Girl ........................................... A.I
4:30 P.m.KTNT-TV--Stowaway ........................................... N R
6:0e P.m.KVOS-TVJungle Girl ......................................... NR
7:30 P.m.--KTNT-TV--Treasure of Sierra Madre ........................... A-II
11:35 P.m.llNG-TV--Publlc Hero No. 1 ................................... NR
MONDAY, MAY 27
9:30 a.m.KOMO-TVAllas Mary Dow .............................. ' ...... NR
10:00 a.m.--KTVW-TV--Muss 'Era Up ....................................... A-II
12:00 Neen--KTVW-TVHolIday Affair ...................................... A-I
2:00 ).m.--KTNT-TV--Always Together ...................................... B
3:30 ).m.KING-TV--New Moon (Part I) ................................. A.I
5:30 ).m.KVOS-TV--Northwest Stampede ................................ A.I
7:30 ).m.KING-TV--The Enemy Below .................................... A-I
10:00 ).m.--KTVW-TV--San Quentin ........................................ A-II
10:00 ).m.KTNT-TVJanle Gets Married ................................... a
11:00 P.m.KVOS-TV--FoIIow the Fleet ...................................... A-I
11:30 P.m.KOMO-TV--Naval Academy .................................... A*I
1:00 a.m.--KTVW-TV--Aggle Appleby ...................................... N R
TUESDAY, MAY 20
9:30 a.m.--KOMO-TVSea Spoilers ........................................ A.I
10:00 a.m.--KTVW-TV--L.ouislana Territory ................................. A.I
12:00 Neon--KTVW-TV--YeIIow Canary ..................................... A-i
2:00 P.m.KTNT.TV--Janle Gets Married ................................... B
3:30 P.m.KING-TVNew Moon (Part II) ................................. A-I
5:30 P.m.KVOS.TVPrlsoners of the Casbah ............................. A.II
6:30 P.m.KTVW-TV--erlde by Mistake ................................... Adl
10:00 P.m.--KTVW-TV--Days of Glory ...................................... A-II
10:30 P.m.--KTNT-TV--Flight Angels ....................................... A-II
11:00 P.m.--KVOS-TV--Eight Iron Men .................................... A-H
11:30 P.m.--KOMO-TV--Escape from Devil's Island ........... , ........... A.II
1:00 a.m.KTVW.TV--The Brighton Strangler ............................ A-II
WEDNESDAY, MAY
9:30 a.m.--KOMO-TV--HI, Beautiful ...................................... A-II
10:00 a.m.--KTVW-TV--Footllght Varieties .................................. B
12:00 NOOD--KTVW-TV--ey Your Leave ..................................... NR
3:00 .m.--KTNT-TV--FIIght Angels ....................................... A-II
3:30 3.m.--KING.TV--Murder In the Private Car ......................... NR
5:30 .m.--KVOS.TV--Colorado Territory ................................... B
6:30 .m.--KTVW-TV--Boy with the Green Hair .......................... A-I
10:00 3.m.--KTVW-TV--One Crowded Night .................................. NR
10:00 3.m.--KTNT-TV--CIuny Brown ....................................... A-II
11:00 .m.--KVOS-TV--Crossflre ........................................... A.II
11:30 3.m.--KOMO-TV--To Please a Lady ...... , ........................... A-II
11:30 .m.--KTVW-TV--MIne Sweeper ...................................... A-I
1:00 a.m.--KTVW.TVCat People ......... , ................................ B
THURSDAY, MAY n
9:30 a.m.--KOMO-TVRockabllly Baby ..................................... A-I
10:00 a.m.--KTVW-TV--Heavenly Days ...................................... A-I
12:00 NOOn---KTVW-TV--Boy with the Green Hair .......................... A-I
2:00 P.m.KTNT-TV--The Iron Curtain ................................... A-I
3:30 P,m.--KING.TV--Marrled Before Breakfast ........................... A-I
3:30 P.m.KVOS-TV--FIIght to Hang Kong ................................. B
d;:30 P.m.--KIRO.TVStrange Lady In Town ............................... A-II
10:00 P.m.KTVW.TV--Enchanted April .................................... NR
10:00 P.m.--KTNT-TV--The Eve of St. Mark ................................. B
11:00 P.m.KVOS-TV--Woman In White ..................................... A-II
11:30 P.m.KOMO-TV--Beachhead .................................... A.II
I1 30 P.m.KTVW-TV--Flghtlng Grlngo .................................... A.I
1:00 a.m.--KTVW-TV--SIIver Queen ..................................... A-II
FRIDAY, MAY 31
9:30 a.m.K(MO-TV--Cuban Pete ................ A-
10:00 a.m.KTVW-TVDog of Flanders ................................... A-I
12:00 NoonKTVW.TV--Enchonted April ................................... NR
2:00 p.m.KTNT.TV--Affecttanately Yours ............................... A-II
3:30 p.m.KING-TV--Modam X .................................... A I
5:30 p.m.KVOS-TV--Best of the Badmen .................................. B
6:30 p.m.KTVW-TV--The Arlzonlon .................................... NR
10t00 p.m.--KTVW-TV--Breok of Hearts ................................... NR
/ 10:00 P.m,--KTNT-TV--The ConsplrrJfors ................................... A-II
11:00 P.m.--KVOS-TV--The Loves of Carmen ............................... A.II
11:30 P.m.--KOMO-TV--Secret of Convict Lake ............................... B
1:00 a.m.--KTVW-TV--U nderwater ...................... . ................... B
This Review It Sponsored by
Catholic Gifts & Church Goods, Inc.
Religious goods for the home, church and school.
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Lord made you rich in a material sense. Oh
yes, you worked hard, or you guarded your in-
heritances, or you invested well, but the Lord
is still the first cause of your wealth. "What have
you that you have not RECEIVED?"
e
It is much easier for you to save your soul
than a famished "fellah" in Egypt or a miser-
able cliff-dweller in a Latin America "faveila."
You can give in Christ's Name. But the poor
have to sink down into the depths of their souls
and make an act of resignation and submission
to God's Will. You say you are generous? You
boast that you gave $100,000 to build a $3,000,000
church or $250,000 to construct a library? Fine[
But are you really satisfied with what you have
done, or were you "pressurized" by agents, pub-
lic relations officials or drive "hatchetmen?"
Did you give supernaturally or did you give
naturally? Did it profit you for eternity or did
it give you a bronze plaque in time?
e
Measure your gifts with the rules that Our
Lord lay down for giving:
I--Our Lord said we should give to the
poor. When you are ready to make a distribu-
tion, "call in not the rich, but the poor." He
- meant that you should treat the disinherited
of the world as though their need was not a
stigma but a claim. The needy catechists in
Korea, the impoverished priests of Rhodesia
--these are the men to benefit in the light of
the life to camel
2--Our Lord said we should give anony-
mously: "Do not let thy left hand know what
thy right hand is doing." Ever notice how
much more you give when you "subscribe"
than when there is a collection? The ego wants
satisfaction in the first instance. Beggars el-
thee with; for thou shalt be repaid at the res-
urrection of the poor." The rich could repay
you, honor you, put you on a board, but the
poor can do nothing. Therefore, the Lord will
have to reward you. The saddest words in
Sacred Scripture are: "Thou has already re-
ceived thy reward."
Those of you who are rich and who want
to give to the poor of the world so that no one
else but the Vicar of Christ makes the distribu-
tion, write to me. I will reply personally to help
you save souls.
GOD LOVE to S. B. /or $70. "'This is
my first pay check/ram my first place o/
employment." . . . to Mrs. A. B. /or $2.
"To help the poor at the world and beg
prayers/or a/allen-away son." . . . to E.
B. /or $20. "'After graduation, several
girls are spending a weekend at the shore.
I would rather you use the money I had
saved to send missionaries abroad." . . .
to a South Dakotan /or $35. "For the
Holy Father to use as he judges best."
Find out how an annuity with The Society for
the Propagation of the Faith helps both you
and the poor of the world. Send your requests
for our pamphlet on annuities, including the
date of your birth, to Most Reverend Fulton J.
Sheen, 366 5th Ave., New York 1, N. Y.
Cut out this column, pin your sacrifices to
tt and mail it to Most Roy. Fulton J. Sheen,
National Director of the Society for the Propa-
gation of the Faith, 360 - 5tb Ave., New York
1, N. Y., or your Archdiocesan Director, Roy.
Stephen Szeman, 907 Terry Avenue, Seattle 4.
Cooper's Faith Sustains Him
(Continued from Page 1)
flight and high praise for those
engaged in it.
He related that on his return
from the Pacific he stopped in
Honolulu where he dropped a
wreath on the tomb of the
sunken U.S.S. Arizona.
"And I thought as I did so
of the many thousands of
American military who have
fought and died and who
are still fighting and dying,
and who in the future will
fight and die that we might
have a free country . . ."
he said.
He explained the reasons for
calling his spacecraft Faith 7
in the following words:
"I named my spacecraft
Faith 7 for three reasons:
"One, because of my be-
lief in God and country;
"Two, because of the loy-
alty to organization -- the
two organizations, actually
to which I bdlong;
"And, three, because of the
confidence in the entire space
team."
The third reference was to
the seven members of the
team. For this reason, this
numeral was added to the name
of the spaceship of each of the
preceding astronauts as fol-
lows:
Alan Shepard--Freedom 7
Gus Grissom--Liberty Bell 7
John Glenn--Friendship 7
Scott Carpenter--Aurora 7
Walter Schirra--Sigma 7
The seventh member of the
team; Donald Slayton, will
probably never fly, because
he recently developed a slight
heart flutter, but he is never-
theless an active member as
coordinator of all astronaut
activities.
Comment on Cooper's brief
remarks in the House of Rep-
resentatives chamber were
those of a true hero, simple,
self-effacing, sincere.
We cannot resist mentioning,
by way of odius comparison,
the bombastic twaddle uttered
by Soviet Gherman S. (I am
Eagle) Titov, after his asserted
17-orbit flight.
He said he never saw God
up where he was. Perhaps not.
Perhaps not.
Haitian Volcano
Dictator Francois Duvalier
still sits at his official desk
as president of Haiti despite
the fact that his term of of-
rice has expired and the con-
stitution of his country spe-
cifically states that no presi-
dent may succeed himself for
a second term.
"I wish to assure my
friends in the Western Hemi-
sphere that Haiti will con-
tinue under my administra-
tion as a peaceful nonaggres-
sive nation with its own de-
velopment," he promised in
a formal statement last
week.
At the same time he charged
that the U.S. was principally
responsible for having at-
tempted to create panic and
causing the trouble in his
country recently.
It is true that the U.S., to-
gether with other states in this
hemisphere, would like to see
Duvalier out of office, but it
is questionable whether it has
done anything as yet to bring
this about.
Duvalier further accused out-
siders of "meddling in Haiti's
internal affairs," and for this
asserted reason, he refused to
admit the O.A.S. Human Rights
Committee.
Friends Dwindle
If Duvalier had friends
among the Latin American
states, they have obviously de-
creased in number.
Costa Riea and Venezuela
have severed diplomatic re-
lations and .others are ex-
pected to do likewise. How-
will be broadcast on KOMO-
Radio at 9 p.m.
10:30 a.m., The Catholic Hour,
KING-TV, Channel 5.
The opening of the Second
Vatican Council and films of
Pope John will be featured in
this final program in the "I
Am With You" four-part
series.
This program features an
exclusive interview with Aug-
ustin Cardinal Boa, S.J., of the
Secretariat for Christian Unity.
0:00 p.m., Challenge, KOMO-
TV, Channel 4.
"Capital Punishment" will be
the controversial subject ex-
plored by Roy. William Treacy,
Rabbi Raphael Levine and Dr.
Lynn Carson on today's pro-
gram.
7:15 p.m., Sacred Heart Pro-
gram, KTVW-TV, Channel
13.
Why do people become des-
pondent? What values must we
cultivate if we are to be happy
in this world? These questions
are answered by Roy. Josep.h
Christie, S.J., missionary in
England and Scotland on this
program "Peace of Mind."
7:30 p.m., Hour of St. Fran-
cis, KTVW.TV, Channel 13.
A young couple enter into
marriage confident that love
will overcome all differences,
including religion, between
them. Henrietta Moore, Nell
Hamilton are featured.
DOCTOR KRAMER
Reviews The News
ever, as yet the larger states
of Argentina Brazil and
Chile have shown no incli-
nation to take action unless
violence again erupts in
Haiti.
The U.S. has "suspended"
diplomatic contacts, although
it has been explained that this
does not represent a formal
break, as our ambassador,
Raymond L. Thurston, still re-
mains at his post in Port-au-
Prince.
Ecuador has also suspended
relations with Haiti and simi-
lar action is expected on the
part of Honduras.
Insisting that special precau-
tions are still warranted, the
U.S. is maintaining a 10-ship
naval force and 2,000 Marines
standing off the Haitian capital
at a respectable distance.
Meanwhile, the State De-
partment is engaged in an
"urgent study" of the whole
question, including the legal-
ity of Duvalier's tenure of
office and the prospect of
continued recognition.
Reports of numerous bomb-
ings in and near the Haitian
capital leads to the belief that
Duvalier is sitting atop a rum-
bring volcano.
African Unify
Heads of state and their for-
eign ministers from 32 inde-
pendent African states have ar-
rived at Addis Ababa, Ethi-
opia, to attend a conference
for the purpose of reaching
some sort of agreement on
African unity.
Before the meeting opened,
President Kwame Nkrumah of
Ghana proposed that his plan
of union and a continental par-
liament be accepted. Obviously,
he pictured himself as the logi-
cal head of such a union.
The pro-summit conference
of foreign ministers ended by
submission of a proposed
charter for continental unity,
to be developed over a three-
month period by a tempor-
ary secretariat set up in Ad-
dis Ababa by the Ethiopian
government.
This proposal is now being
discussed by the heads of state
in a summit session.
The meetings excluded all ob-
servers who were not Africans
together with the Union of
South Africa which was severe-
ly criticized. Bold proposals
were also made by the foreign
ministers to fight remnants of
colonial rule, which were di-
rected at Portugal.
Included in these plans was
SUNDAY, MAY 26
7:00 a.m., Georgetown Univer-
sity F o r u m, ' KlXI-Radio
(910 ke.)
"Hospitals are Career Cen-
ters" is today's topic. Panel-
ists are Fred McNamara, Mrs.
Edward Adams and Mrs.
Elizabeth McDonald, all prom-
inent in hospital work in the
Washington, D.C., area.
7:45 a.m., Hour of St. Fran-
cis, KXA-Radio (770 ke.)
"I'm glad I haven't anything
like that on my conscience,"
exclaims a self-satisfied man
on today's program "Don't
Blame Me."
9:15 a.m., Sacred Heart Pro-
gram, KIRO.TV, Channel 7.
"Suffering and sacrifice are
not one and the same; sacrifice
is suffering with a purpose,"
says Rev. Walter J. Burghardt,
S.J., of Woodstock College,
Md., on today's program
"Theology and Human Living."
10:30 a.m., What's New in the
Schoolhouse?, K O M O - T V
Channel 4.
"Quality Education in Paro-
chial Schools" will be the top-
ic of discussion and Sister
Irma, S.N.J.M., and Sister
Innocentia, C.S.3., supervisors
in the Archdiocesan Depart-
ment of Schools will be the
guests. They will discuss plans
for improving instruction in
Catholic schools. The program
Throughout
the setting up of guerrilla
training bases, some of which
• already exist.
Although at this conference
there has been no indication of
Communist penetration or in-
fluence, the mention of guer-
rilla bases brings to mind
leaders in such bases as Hold-
en Roberto and others who are
doubtlessly Communist- influ-
enced.
The interest of the Soviet
Union in Africa cannot be
underestimated. Moscow is
doing its best to make it ap-
pear that the Soviets are the
best friends the Africans ever
had.
Before the conference opened,
the Kremlin told the African
leaders that it would support
their effort to achieve union
provided they rid the contin-
ent of Western influence.
Talks Fail
Prolonged talks between del-
egations of Pakistan and India
over settlement of the Kashmir
territorial dispute has ended
in an official "breakdown."
This has also marked the
failure of strenuous efforts by
the U.S. Land Britain to bring
about a settlement of the 15-
year-old conflict which has
been protracted by india's re-
fusal to live up to her promise
of holding a plebiscite in Kash-
mir.
No progress was made dur-
ing the past six months dis-
cussion of of the problem,
yet India said it was willing
to continue seeking a Kash-
mir solution "at the diplo-
matic level" and was not
averse to third party me-
diation.
This new failure to arrive at
an amicable agreement has a
great impact on the Red Chi-
nese threat against India and
the military aid which will
be given India to ward off
that threat.
India has indicated that it
expected assistance from the
U.S. in the amount of $1,500,-
000 within the next five years,
although it can consider itself
fortunate if it obtains one-third
that amount.
Said Mr. Bhutto, Pakistan's
Foreign Minister, to Indian
reporters:
"Believe me, we want
peace with you. But the links
of common heritage between
our two countries are be-
ing destroyed by Indian
arrogance."
tally retarded. A series o/ tests run when he was about
live showed that part o/his brain had suffered injury and
would never develop normally. The doctor advised us to
send him to an institution but we decided against it.
Lately he seems to sense that something is badly missing
and grows so tense that we must give him tranquilizers.
He is never aggressive yet we must keep him inside the
house and watch him constantly. The doctor has again
advised us to place him in an institution. We lust can't
decide what would be the right thing to do. What would
you suggest?
husband
you your a very difficult situa-
and
face
t.ion, any decision you make will necessarily in-
volve heavy emotional costs.
Experience shows that parents and other mem-
bers of the family tend to develop a special kind of
affection and concern for a handicapped child, with the result
that it is not easy for them to make an objective appraisal of the
situation if a'change seems indicated.
I think that parents find it so difficult
to reach a decision about placing their child
in a special institution because they secretly
fear that they may be motivated by the de-
sire to escape a burden rather than by sin-
cere parental love.
As I shall point out later, parental love may
also be mistaken in its aims and consequently
lose sight of the real interests of the child.
Because mental retardation is a rather in-
clusive term and widely misunderstood, it may
be useful to describe it in some detail. FATHER
Briefly, it refers to the lack of intellectual THOMAS
ability resulting from arrested mental develop-
ment and it manifests itself in poor learning, inadequate social
adjustment, and delayed achievement.
Generally this condition i either present at birth or begins
during childhood, and the causes are many and obscure. Mental
retardation should not be confused with mental illness or with
a specific disease.
Rather, it is a sign or symptom of either mongolism (con-
genital idiocy), birth injury or infection, or even inadequate
stimulation in early childhood. The retardation can be so severe
that the afflicted person never leaves protective care, or so mild
that it is detected only under stress or through special tests.
Few People Recognize Retardation's Scope
erhaps because it has received little publicity until recently,
few people recognize the" full scope of the problem.
According to fairly reliable estimates, some five million
persons in this country are retarded.
In other words, it disables I0 times as many as diabetes,
20 times as many as tuberculosis, 25 times as many as mus-
cular dystrophy, and 000 times as many as infanatile paralysis.
And it strikes those who are least able to defend themselves--
the children.
Every year roughly 126,000 babies are born who will be
mentally retarded. It is no "respector of persons," for it may
afflict the child of the rich or the poor, the urban dweller or
the farmer, the captain of industry or the manual laborer.
I have mentioned these facts not merely to show you that
many other couples face similar situations, but to remind all
Americans that they should encourage and support community,
state, and federal programs designed to deal with the problem.
There is serious need for more researcb on the nature
and causes of retardation, for more adequate diagnostic and
clinical services, for additional residential institutions, special
schools and professional staffs, and "for enlarged vocational
agencies to deal with rehabilitation.
As President Kennedy has pointed out, we have made con-
siderable progress in dealing withphysical handicaps, disease,
and mental illness, but '!we as a nation have for too long post-
poned an intensive search for solutions to the problems of the
mentally retarded. That failure should be corrected."
Immediate Medical Attention Needed
ou and your husband are to be commended for seeking expert
medical advice as soon as it could be given reliably and
also for accepting the diagnosis of impairment at that time.
Some parents are reluctant to seek advice or to accept it
even though they have clear evidence that their child is not de-
veloping normally. Such reluctance may result from a false
sense of shame and neurotic guilt or from ignorance that di-
agnostic services are available yet it is very unfortunate because
the child may either be blamed for not advancing more rapidly
or denied the special care needed to develop fully what capaci-
ties is may possess.
I gather that your son bas not reached an age at which
he is becoming increasingly difficult to manage. Although there
may be various reasons for his growing tenseness and aware-
ness that" something is badly missing," it seems likely that
his restriction to the house and lack of suitable companions are
contributing factors.
I feel that you should give your doctor's advice very serious
consideration. In reaching a decision, you must try to judge
what will be best for your son and the other children.
His present condition suggests that he may well require the
routine order, trained care, and regulated freedom available only
in an institutional environment.
To place him in an institution would not be "letting him
down,' as you put it. Indeed, it will probably require greater
love and humility than trying desperately to keep him at home.
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