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Show This Father. Would Have Accepted Death Rather Than to Face His New-Born Son j Herman E. Bruckner, whose family's unusual story Is told by his wife in the book, "Triumph of Love," reveals his creed. This is one of a series of statements by thinking, useful people in all walks of life. "This I Believe" appears in this paper every Thursday and is presented by Edward R. Murrow over KSUB at 6 p. m. Monday through Friday. By Herman E. Bruckner Salesman, Bronx, New York March 7, 1950, my second child, a boy, was born armless. I shall never forget that night of horror. It was as though my life came to an end. I was terrified, shocked, and desperate. I would have accepted immediate death, rather than face the precarious future. I was too confused and cowardly to kill myself. Never will I completely com-pletely eradicate from my mind the pale, frightened face of the doctor when he said, "In all the years I have been delivering babies, I have not seen anything like this, a monstrosity." I was gasping for breath; I could not endure this burden. For two long months I refused to see my son. I wanted him sent to an Institution or placed in a home for adoption. During this period I could not eat, I could not sleep, I could not work, I was miserable and tortured tor-tured by constant mental strain. Life had no purpose other than waiting for my son to completely complete-ly disappear from my memory. Brief moments of peace of mind came to me only from pleading prayers. I begged GOD to please show me the right way. I kept saying over and over, "Why do I love my daughter and not my son?" I do not believe be-lieve that at any time did I lose faith in HIM. God must have been watching me, and waiting' to see if I was ready to accept this great challenge. He sent me I to my son. I love him; I am! proud of him; I now want to ' show him off to the entire world, I because I am his father. The good LORD seems to have I lighted a spark in me which hastens has-tens me on to help the worried and afflicted, Just as he has blessed my son with a wondrous smile. I know I am now strong, aggressive, and desire to undertake under-take tasks perhaps others would hesitate to attempt. Am I afraid of my son's future? No. However, How-ever, in my heart, I feel there must be a way I can bring comfort com-fort and strength to other disabled. dis-abled. I am anxious to be associated asso-ciated with honest programs of; developing better understanding! of the handicapped. I am proud' to say I am presently trying to spread this gospel in behalf of the Institute for the Crippled and Disabled. No one asked me to lend my support to this urgent ur-gent need. It is something I want to do, and I am doing it. I believe my real purpose on this earth is to try to help those who can not help themselves. I am determined to attempt an all-out campaign in behalf of the crippled which will make their lives worth living. With the grace of GOD, I pray HE keeps this burning spirit within me alive, and guides me in this chosen task. For this privilege, !l am indeed grateful and say, "Thank you almighty God." |