WOMAN WITH ARTHRITIS NEEDS PAPER GOODS

There is nothing Mrs. J, 65, can do about the deterioration of her bones.

Due to the advanced stages of arthritis and poor circulation in her legs, she has known for some time she would have to live with this condition. She also suffers from chronic emphysema and has a broken ankle. With medication, she copes with such medical difficulties.

The problem that has weighed most heavily on her mind lately is her bladder.

Mrs. J uses 6 to 8 disposable medium-size Depends pads a day when her bladder is out of control. Due to the expense of the pads, she often goes hungry to stay dry.

Through Christmas for the Elderly, a program co-sponsored by the Cape Girardeau County Health Department and Southeast Missourian, perhaps Mrs. J will have a brighter holiday season.

She would also appreciate assistance in getting paper products such as toilet paper, towels and napkins.

Other needs: Grocery certificates, canned goods, a large sweater, a medium-size long gown and toiletries.

Mrs. K is an 83-year-old widow who lives alone in a senior housing complex. She suffers from arthritis and has difficulty getting around.

She tries to stay active, playing bingo and going to church, but she has trouble getting to her doctor in Illinois.

A gift certificate to pay for a round trip by way of Bootheel Area Rapid Transit (BART) would help Mrs. K immensely. She could also use some Attends pads.

A spiral notebook, stamps and envelopes would help her correspond with her children, all of whom have moved from Cape Girardeau.

Gifts may be delivered to the Southeast Missourian, 301 Broadway, or the Cape Girardeau County 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.