A Small Victory

and sometimes there is good news

If every day started off with a spectacular meteor shower and a story like this.

Yesterday's Newsday carried the story of Kathleen Lutz. Kathleen is 32 years old. Both of her parents have passed away. She has seven brothers and sisters, all adopted, all younger than her, all left in her care.

All the siblings have Down's Syndrome in addition to other health problems.

Kathleen has an inoperable brain tumor.

Now, stop and think about what you would do in that situation. Me, I would curl up in a fetal position under the table and wait for someone to rescue me. I would cave, for sure.

Kathleen didn't cave. She moved back home to take care of her siblings. Seven siblings, all with mental and physical handicaps. And her with a brain tumor, needing chemo and other treatments.

I found myself crying yesterday as I read that story, out of sadness for Kathleen Lutz, yet out of happiness for the siblings, that someone loves them so much, so unselfishly, that she is giving the short time she has left in her life to make sure they are together and as happy and comfortable as possible. I wanted to do something for her; to reach out to her.

Apparently I wasn't the only one who felt like that. Nor did I think I would be.

Yesterday, Kathleen Lutz was busy fielding phone calls and answering the door. Workers showed up to take care of repairs the house badly needed. Strangers called to see how they could help. Home Depot donated building supplies. A local Boy Scout troop adopted the family, promising to help out around the house and raise money for Christmas presents. A heating company came in and fixed the heating problems in some of the rooms.

If you are interested, The Family Service League of Huntington is accepting donations to aid the Lutz family. Checks should be made payable to Family Service League -- Lutz Family, and sent to the Family Service League, 790 Park Ave., Huntington, N.Y. 11743.