HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0258.008 2004-2006
May 18 OS 07:43a RES-Q Consulr,ants, Inc. (8081531-3595 p.l
From the sewing table of ' ~
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Leonetta
~
Dear Councilman Higa,
I am writing this letter asking the County Council to vote oe.~ill'103 to
name the playground at Lincoln Pazk after Dr. Ruth Oda. Not only was she ai
the pediatrician of two of my children, I considered her a friend.
After my daughter was bom in 1960 with cerebral palsy, the experts in Q'p
Honolulu gave my daughter a month to live and suggested we place her in
_ ~ ~ Waimano Home. I chose to bring my daughter back to Hilo instead. At our ~4
first visit with Dr. Oda, she came into the room singing, approached my
daughter and gave her a little peck on the cheek and kept on singing. We
knew that was a sign that she was going to caze for her in the manner in
which she deserved. Dr. Oda recognized the life and aloha in her. When
~ we asked her about her prognosis, she told us that as long as we took good `
care of her, the child would live as long as she was able. Dr. Oda provided
exemplary care for her and she exceeded the life expectations of the
~P specialists on Oahu. She eventually died at age 8 ofpneumonia. Q~
~q !
It is only fitting that playground behind her office be named after her. I
don't think there is ever a time when we drive on Ponahawai Street that we
don't think of her capacity to care, love ,and serve the children and famihes
of the Big Island. As a family, we honored and respected Dr. Oda so much, ~d
we asked that she become the Godmother of my second daughter and she ~`Y
obliged. She was a very active participant in the life of our family shazing
many celebrations as well as sorrowful events. She continued to provided
guidance and support to my daughter well beyond those "pediatric" years."
By naming the playground after Dr. Oda not only aze you honoring a first ~
class practitioner and a wonderful humanitazian, you aze also providing a
memorial for the thousands of families she served to take the time to
p remember her and thank her for her marvelous life's work. Asa p p
n1 community, there's probably one tiring we can all agree upon, Dr. Oda has gyp`(
f made a significant impact on our island home. /
Vote es on 103.
~ Leone a Osorio Kinard
2604 Pauoa Road Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 i
Lomm. .Jo. Z
Ref. it~-t ~ ~ ' .
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