WOMAN IN WHEELCHAIR WOULD LIKE DRAPERIES

It's a daily ritual at Mrs. I's house: Her daughter rises at dawn to help Mrs. I dress and settle in for the day before her daughter leaves for work.

Mrs. I then waits for her daughter to return home.

After years of taking care of her family, Mrs. I now must depend on her daughter for virtually everything. Mrs. I is confined to a wheelchair.

During the holiday season, Mrs. I feels particularly depressed because she can no longer help out. She feels like a burden.

Mrs. I's daughter never complains. In fact, she is glad to have her mother with her. She works hard but never makes enough money to pay all of the bills. Her mother's medical bills are mounting.

This Christmas Mrs. I would like new blinds for her bedroom windows. The fabric covering the windows is tattered but she would never ask her daughter to purchase anything new. A gift certificate or donation to purchase the new window coverings would make Mrs. I feel great.

Mrs. I also needs new house shoes, size 10, and warm socks.

A gift certificate for groceries, donation of canned goods or a fruit basket would be a holiday treat both Mrs. I and her daughter can enjoy.

Christmas for the Elderly is a joint project of the Southeast Missourian newspaper and the Cape Girardeau County Health Department.

Gifts may be delivered to the Southeast Missourian, 301 Broadway, or the Health Department, 1121 Linden.

Gifts or monetary donations may be mailed to Christmas for the Elderly, P.O. Box 699, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63702-0699.

For more information, call Kim McDowell at 335-6611.