PARENTS SEEKING RIDES TO VISIT AILING TWINS

When it comes to helping his son and daughter-in-law, there is no magic up Bill Coomer's sleeves.

But the amateur magician hopes charity from Cape Girardeau residents will be the magic needed to help Dai and Betty Coomer.

The couple are the parents of twins, who were born two months premature at Southeast Missouri Hospital Saturday night.

The twins, Mitchell and Jessica, each weighed less than 3 pounds at birth.

They were then transported by ambulance to Children's Hospital in St. Louis.

Dai Coomer said there were some lung problems, and both children had a touch of meningitis.

But, he said Wednesday the health of the twins has improved.

"I believe we are going to have two healthy twins out of the deal."

Still, the twins are expected to remain in the St. Louis hospital for about two months, assuming there aren't complications.

That poses a transportation problem for the parents: They don't have driver's licenses or a car.

Dai Coomer said the family walks, rides bicycles, takes a taxi or calls on relatives for transportation around town.

The parents have four daughters living with them. Dai also has a son by another marriage.

Without a car, the Coomers are finding it difficult to travel to St. Louis to visit their twin children.

Bill Coomer said his son and daughter-in-law would appreciate transportation assistance.

Dai and Betty Coomer's church, the Third Street United Methodist Church, has donated $275 to aid the family.

Through the efforts of the church's pastor, the Rev. Scott Moon, a special account has been opened at Capital Bank.

Financial donations should be made to the account, which is in the church's name. Donors should indicate the money is for the Coomer twins.

Betty Coomer has Medicaid, which will pay the hospital bills. But transportation costs will still tax the couple's small income.

Dai has a cleaning job at night and does some roofing work when he can. Betty is a homemaker.

Dai Coomer said he and his wife want to visit their newborns as much as possible.