… Post-Concussion Syndrome misunderstood

This is very similar to my experience…. The term “post-concussion syndrome” sounds so benign; it doesn’t sound like something life-changing & debilitating. I spent six months with a continuous headache, dizziness, ringing in my ears, verbal difficulties and balance disturbances. I wasn’t sure I could ever go back to being a nurse. Thankfully, six months of speech therapy and physical therapy, in addition to several weeks of brain rest, brought me back to the point where I could resume working. … You are 100% correct when you said, “People don’t understand unless they’ve gone through it.” There are days when I am so frustrated I can’t stand it, and I often wish I had my old brain back, but that isn’t helpful. Now, two and a half years later, I just keep working on getting better and give thanks for my friends and family who have stood by me during this difficult (and invisible) recovery process.

— Alison Smart

Thank you. … So few know or understand

— Pamela Riesen

… How long must people pay for their mistakes?

Nice article, Ken. Those who are seriously trying to turn their lives around should be allowed to earn another chance. Failure is a better teacher than success if we are not too deaf, dumb, blind and stubborn to learn from its lessons.

— Reginald Brown

Practice what you preach. Slavery was a long time ago. How long before your logic is applied to forgive those who had nothing to do with slavery? Never is the answer. Tolerance is a two-way street. As long as you travel in one direction you get nowhere

— Kevin Womble

So was the Civil War. Are you down with ending all enactments and parades of Confederate men (e.g. Robert E. Lee) that owned and violated black bodies and are now venerated as eternal virtuous heroes? We endure that kind of history in this city every year. I hear no cries of folks saying, “That was a long time ago.” Why?

— Anthony Smith

This is one of those great letters that I think we all can agree on, and is indicative of why, despite not always being in agreement, I personally admire Mr. Hardin so much. We know that most people, individually, want to give others a second chance; but as a society, not so much.

— Steve Pender

… Dunbar Center burns

I attended Dunbar in 1963-1964 and had wonderful teachers. I was sad when I heard the news last night. The teachers prepared for the coming world of post-segregation. So many memories!

— Dolan Hubbard

Wow, I’m in awe. I, too, went to school here while schools were not yet integrated. Lot of childhood memories. This was always huge historical site for the blacks of Salisbury.

— Frances Simpson-Lang

 

So sad. This was where I went to junior high/middle school. Lots of memories. Thank you to the firefighters who responded. Always praying for your safety.

— Kyna Foster Grubb

Thanks to all the firefighters for their hard work. Also kudos to the local Red Cross and Rowan Rescue Squad for their help.

— Jackie Harris

I went there in the ‘70s …sad a part of my life’s journey gone literally in flames.

— Herbie Hasbrouck Jr.

…For NYPD, no defense for the indefensible

I ordinarily agree with Leonard Pitts, and I surely know I’m not wise enough to find a solution to a national problem, but fanning the fires of discord and keeping emotions running on high doesn’t seem to be helping either. If you can’t offer anything helpful maybe it’s time to let the dust settle while problem solvers do what they can. I so dislike this attitude that the police were being disrespectful; they were there to show respect to their fallen, not to the mayor who didn’t have their back.

— Sandy Smith

… Tony Propst’s inspirational comeback

This young man played in our midnight basketball at Christian Outreach years ago. He was always a team player and respectful. He’s even more inspirational now. Bless you, Pro!

— Glenn Usry

Praising God with you, Tony Propst! Love seeing that you and Nakia Rhyne Propst are doing what you love!

— Deedra Stewart

Tony was one of the kindest young men I ever coached. He was a great sport in China Grove Little League baseball, extremely talented, never arrogant and was an example of what a young gentleman should be. He was also a good friend to my son, Nathan Taylor. Too bad he had so much bad happen to him. But he really showed the character instilled him by his “raising” in his comeback.

To this day, I still think of Tony from time to time of the example he was at the age of 10-12. One simple example: While all the boys after a game were running to hang out, Tony stopped, ran back to his mother who was carrying a lawn chair to her car; Tony took the chair, ran it to her car. Only after being sure his mother was taken care of did he then take time to enjoy himself. Character. Chivalry. Kindness. Rare these days.

— Max Taylor