I recently donated blood as part of the annual Mayor D. Michael Collins Blood Drive, which I have always felt is a fitting and wonderful way to honor the service Mr. Collins made to Toledo over his lifetime. The Blade put the photo of me donating blood on its front page, but unfortunately, the accompanying caption ( “Mayor’s pain is another’s gain,” Feb. 21) may have given some readers the wrong impression of my experience that day.
Indeed, a local nurse, Therese Andrews, wrote a letter to The Blade this week worried that the “grimace” on my face might give the mistaken impression that donating blood is painful, thereby discouraging people from participating in this worthwhile activity.
Though it is true that I am a known wimp — just ask anyone who knows me, especially my wife — nothing about giving blood is painful at all. In fact, the “grimace” on my face was actually laughter. I had just told a joke, and not only had I amused myself, but my phlebotomist Deb Cooper is shown in the photo laughing as well.
You should find out for yourself just how easy and painless donating blood can be by scheduling an appointment to donate. Just contact the American Red Cross of Northwest Ohio at 419-329-2900 or visit www.redcrossblood.org.
So, Therese, I hope this puts your mind at ease. Sadly, I suspect this won’t be the last time my odd and unusual face gets me in trouble!
WADE KAPSZUKIEWICZ
West Toledo
The writer is the mayor of Toledo
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Markey nails it
Once again, Matt Markey does a yeoman’s job in getting to the heart of an issue
( “Sunny Farms Landfill stinking up country life,” Sunday). It’s appalling that Seneca County officials want to destroy their community and its history (until you remember what they did to the Seneca County Courthouse).
And it’s appalling that New York and New Jersey officials would spend millions of dollars to transport smelly, possibly harmful garbage (up to 7,500 tons daily) 600 miles to Ohio rather than find a closer disposal site in a rural area in upstate New York. New York state officials probably wouldn’t allow the city to dump its trash close to home.
It shows once again the disdain elite easterners show for those of us in the fly-over country.
And they wonder why Trump won.
TOM DAWSON
Monclova Township
BWC listened
These days, government agencies and community stakeholders rarely get along. But a recent announcement from the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation proves government and stakeholders can work collaboratively to everyone’s benefit.
Late last year, the BWC made a policy clarification that required physical therapists billing the state’s workers’ compensation program to document the exact start and end times of each procedure, each time they see a patient. This would have interrupted the flow of patient care and reduced therapists’ face-time with patients. Further, electronic health records aren’t designed to record all of the information BWC was asking for.
Fortunately, after several meetings with key officials, the BWC revised its proposal and will now require a more reasonable level of documentation. This protects the integrity of the state’s workers’ compensation program and ensures patients can still get the physical therapy they need to heal.
I applaud the BWC for being a constructive partner on this issue.
NIKESH PATEL
Washington, D.C.
The writer is a physical therapist and executive director of Alliance for Physical Therapy Quality and Innovation.
First Published February 28, 2019, 10:45 a.m.