I was saddened to read your issue of Sept. 10 (“You Bet Your Life”). The cover story is (how can I say this delicately?) dangerous and ignorant. From my building I can see the many buildings of the Illinois Medical District. People there saved my life–very specifically by means of a clinical trial.
Knowing the standard of care and practice at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center from the outreach work of the Center for Suicide Research and Prevention, I responded to an ad in the Sunday Tribune looking for subjects in a depression study. I was thoroughly evaluated, studied up and down, and treated with great concern for physical and mental health.
After the study was completed it became obvious that there had been a major breakthrough in my life. I arrived at non-depression while on a trial medication. I returned to depression when removed from it. I called the study and was referred to Dr. Jeffrey Ross. In the past I had been medicated–safely and ineffectually by an internist untrained and unskilled in psychiatry and psychopharmacology. That mistake cost me three years of the difference between living with joy and barely, painfully existing.
I cannot say this emphatically enough: It is a blessing to be in a city with such great teaching hospitals. Use them thoughtfully and the rewards are great.
— Susan C. Formella, Chicago
THE GENDER GAP
“Gender Benders” in the Sept. 10 Men’s Fashion issue is subtitled “Are men ready to push the fashion envelope?” I don’t think so.
Twenty-year-old boys are involved in school, sports, hanging with pals and hoping for a date on the weekend. Their income goes for necessities like gas for the car and video rentals . . . not Gucci, Versace and Bulgari labels.
Thirty-year-old men are career-oriented. Their corporate climate would not accept eye glitter, lipstick, black leather tuxes and silver bomber jackets. Nor would future in-laws welcome such a “peacock” to a Sunday family dinner.
Forty-year-old guys budget the family income to cover the mortgage, car payments, kids’ needs and a necessary vacation. Where and when do such frills fit into his lifestyle?
Fifty-year-old men prefer the “Regis monochrome” look. It’s a well-groomed look of comfortable success. “Not caught dead” in a full-length Persian lamb coat, or checked pants bright in red, white and blue, or a burgundy double-layered top with wild rabbit pants!
Most males hate shopping. Their priorities of bars, beer and babes don’t include peacocking!
— Sylvia Bumiller, Oak Park
MAXWELL MEMORIES
I agree with Rick Kogan on Maxwell Street as it was (Sidewalks, Sept. 10). My memory of this famous street goes back to the World War II era when many items were not available at times, and just maybe you could find some of them on Maxwell Street.
I feel lucky to have experienced the real Maxwell Street: the old buildings facing the street, out from which “popped” the fortunetellers and the vendors inside; the man on the street who would remove your corns right on the spot; and the items unimaginable for sale from the stands, some procured by the vendor legally, and some probably illegally.
— Lucile M. Campbell, Eagle River, Wis.
NO BRAIN TRUST
I was amused that you chose Graham Elwood for the Sept. 10 Fast Track. We don’t expect our column to feature Albert Einstein, Albert Schweitzer and Jane Addams (all dead, I know), but some of his responses are pitiful.
Please, try to do better in future. There are people who may have more to offer. Let’s read about them.
— Helen E. Baker, Chicago
———-
Send mail to The Editor, Chicago Tribune Magazine, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611, or to our Internet address, tribmag@tribune.com. All correspondence must include the writer’s name, home address and phone number. Letters may be edited for space and clarity.
