Joan Krumm

How Zachary was assisted by the David Kruger Scottish Rite Speech/Language Clinic at James Madison University exemplifies all the good being done for America's children by the RiteCare Childhood Language Program.

Zachary and his angels: 1st row: Janine Runyon, Graduate Clinician; Zachary Ross Krumm, client at the David Kruger Scottish Rite Summer Speech-Language Clinic, a RiteCare Childhood Language Program, at James Madison University; and Kati Creel, Graduate Clinician. 2nd row: Sara Elizabeth Runyan, Director of Clinical Education; Susan Ingram, Director; and Rebecca Helton, Clinical Supervisor.

I hope this message gets to the many men and women who have contributed to funding the David Kruger Scottish Rite Speech/Language Clinic, a RiteCare Program, in operation at James Madison University (JMU) in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Beyond them, I hope my letter reaches all the Scottish Rite Freemasons who support the Scottish Rite's over 170 clinics, centers, and programs across the Southern Jurisdiction as well as in the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

Zachary, my 27-month-old grandson, was fortunate to be included in the 2003 summer program supported by Virginia's Scottish Rite Freemasons at JMU. Zachary had expressive and receptive speech delays and was receiving services at JMU during the spring 2003 semester. One of the program's aspects was a hearing test. Zachary's test showed significantly decreased hearing. His speech therapists (I call them angels!) recommended he see a doctor and then be enrolled in the Rite's summer program so that he could catch up on his learning delays caused by his lack of normal hearing ability.

The program was a wonderful experience! I am so thankful for your funding, for the talented, caring staff, and for Zachary's progress in last summer's six weeks of therapy at JMU. His hearing problem has been identified and addressed, his vocabulary has increased significantly, and suggestions regarding educational opportunities for the fall of 2003 have been implemented. Zachary's treatment spurred his mother, my daughter Amy, to pursue a graduate degree in Speech Pathology at JMU. She will graduate in May 2004 with a BA degree in Spanish, but then return to JMU to fulfill the required undergraduate courses so that she can enroll in the Speech Pathology graduate program. Amy says, "Zachary is exploding with language these days, and I credit it all to his intensive summer program sponsored by the Scottish Rite. Hopefully, I will be able to work at the summer clinic at some point in my graduate studies. Thank you so much for all you have done for Zachary now and in the future and for all the other children who benefit from your ex-treme generosity."

Zachary's two main therapists at JMU, Janine Runyon and Kati Creel, and their supervisor, Rebecca Helton, were superb. They both made Zachary so comfortable he never fussed or cried on arrival and always went happily into his therapy session. All of the staff was so positive with every child! Susan Ingram, the Program's Director, was always in the parking lot for pick-up and drop-off, making contact with parents and children. The parents even formed a mutual-support group that met several times during the course of the program. Clearly, the Rite's help is really important to these little kids!

I was unaware of the devastating effects of limited speech until my dear grandson Zachary failed to progress at age-appropriate levels. During Zachary's weeks in the summer Scottish Rite program, his hearing was tested several times. So much fluid had built up in Zachary's ears that his eardrums were not moving as they should. Thank-fully, there was no infection. After multiple visits to the pediatrician and an ENT specialist, it was determined Zachary needed his tonsils and adenoids removed, and tubes put in his ears. Three weeks after Scottish Rite therapy ended, he underwent surgery. Before the diagnosis, obtained during his summer therapy, of fluid in his ears, Zachary called me "G'ma." Now, he clearly says "Grandma." What a joy to hear him speak clearly! That goes for Zachary, too. He is delighted to be able to make himself understood.

Zachary is just one little boy. You will probably never realize what a far-reaching impact you have on the lives of the children you serve. My grandfather, Charles D. Vosburgh, was a Mason and a Shriner in New York. I have his 1951 medal recognizing his 50-year membership. Two of my sisters and I were in Rainbow on Long Island in the 1960s. I had no idea at that time what a valuable service my family would receive more than 50 years later. Thank you so much!

Joan and Amy Krumm may be contacted via Amy's e-mail address at krummae@jmu.edu.