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Show Dan Valentine’s Nothing Serious HE’LL WALK AGAIN: He’s got bright, alert eyes...And a million-dollar smile. He’s got courage to spare....And a heart full of hope. His name is Roy Rushton. He’s eight years old. He lost his legs under a train two weeks ago. His legs are gone...But there’s nothing wrong with his heart. He’s a fighter. You can see it in his eyes. It’s an intangible thing. But it’s there. Call it what you like. Call it courage, call it determination, call it will power...Or just pain guts. It’s there in 8-year-old Roy Rushton’s eyes. And that’s why I know that one bright day - son, too - Roy Rushton is going to stand up and walk again. On brand new legs, he’s going to walk...On brand new legs that will put him on his feet again with the crowd. The ball has already started to roll. A batch of spontaneous mail has arrived on the NOTHING SERIOUS desk. The letters are from people who want to help Roy Rushton walk again. Roy Rushton...Readers will help him walk again. “Please start a fund for new legs for Roy Rushton,” one letter writer pleads. “Enclosed please find a small donation. Make it grow, Dan...Make it grow so Roy Rushton can walk again.” Another letter, also with a donation reads: “I hope this can be the means of starting a fund for that brave, darling, 8-year-old boy, Roy Rushton. Please do something immediately. Roy just has to have artificial legs as soon as possible...Perhaps, even in time for the start of school in September.” Still another letter - with checks enclosed - pleads for a fund to help Roy Rushton walk again. They letter was postmarked Friday the 13th, and reads: “I hope this small donation will make Friday the 13th a lucky day for Roy Rushton. I hope this small check will mark the start of a fund for this courageous Salt Lake lad.” I feel that hundreds of other Tribune readers must have a desire to help Roy Rushton walk again...There must be hundreds of other kind-hearted people who would like to help buy a pair of artificial legs for Roy. So we’re starting a fund for Roy Rushton. It’s called the “Roy Rushton Walks Again” fund. Every cent collected will be used to buy a pair of artificial legs for Roy. The best that money can buy. Nothing for hospital bills...Nothing for comic books...Or flowers, or toys, or candy. Just legs!...Legs to walk on...Legs to go to school on...Legs to play with...Legs to put an 8-year-old boy on his feet again. The science of artificial limbs has made tremendous strides in the past few years, especially during and after World War II when thousands of GI’s lost limbs on battlefields. It’s a little too early to tell, but doctors are sure Roy can be outfitted with miraculous legs that will help him walk again. And, remember, Roy is only 8 years old. There is sure to be more strides in artificial limbs in the years to come. He will be able to lead an almost normal, very useful life. I repeat: Every cent collected through this column will be used to buy a pain of the finest artificial legs for Roy...If there is money left over- and let’s hope so - it will be placed in a trust fund for additional legs for Roy which he will need as he grows older. You can help an 8-year-old boy, chained to a hospital bed, walk and play again. Donations can be sent to: “Roy Rushton Walks Again” Fund, care of Dan Valentine, Salt Lake Tribune, Boy 867, Salt Lake City. Let’s send Roy to the third grade in September - on his own two feet! SAM, THE SAD CYNIC, SAYS: Who feels cynical today? I want to see Roy Rushton walk again! |
