Letters to the Editor | July 31, 2024

Simone Biles Owens is the most decorated gymnast in history and is considered one of the greatest gymnasts of all time. She is back in the public spotlight at the most esteemed event in her sport, the Olympic Games. Biles was one of the first athletes to talk publicly about her mental well-being and, after testifying to being sexually abused by USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar, brought to light issues many young people have experienced. In the United States, studies indicate that almost 35 million American children are exposed to adverse childhood experiences before they turn 17.

I have counseled hundreds of clients who are diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety after experiencing some type of abuse or abandonment in their childhood. I talk with survivors every day who feel like they are stuck and do not know how to manage the flashbacks and triggers. In Biles’ newly released documentary, Simone Biles Rising, she opened up about how “I kinda felt like I was in jail with my own brain and body.” Biles echoed the voices of the millions of people who had suffered through an adverse childhood experience when she spoke about how the sexual abuse got “shoved” down into her body, mind, and heart. Biles explained to viewers that as long as we keep the secrets to ourselves, we will spend our lives feeling like “we are at war with ourselves.”

Throughout the years as a counselor, and through the intensive trauma therapy I underwent after my own childhood abuse, I have come to feel that therapy and counseling are some of the most fruitful and effective ways to grapple with childhood trauma. But even if therapy is not within your means, there is a clear lesson to take away from Biles’ example. Prioritize your mental health, focus on yourself and what you want. Turn to your support system for help, and when you think you can do it on your own, do the opposite — surround yourself with people who accept you, encourage you, and lift you up. Like Biles, you are much more than whatever hurdle you are facing.

Shari Botwin, Moorestown

Gov. Josh Shapiro’s nuanced views in response to Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack are poorly articulated in the recent Inquirer article regarding his views on Israel. After reports began to surface of torture, mutilation, and sexualized violence against women, Shapiro’s “full-throated” response two days after the attack reflected the reaction of many American leaders and ordinary citizens, but the implication that this represents his stance in its entirety is completely misleading.

The governor’s criticisms of Israel’s reaction are not mentioned until much later. His critique of the “dangerous and destructive path” of the Netanyahu government, including the loss of “too many innocent lives in Gaza,” is the response of a thoughtful leader who has watched the war unfold and has adjusted his opinions accordingly. The choice to place Shapiro’s evolving views over time at the back of the article provides a misleading slant and is a disservice to him.

William Kavesh, Philadelphia

A staggering $600 million that was supposed to help provide support for Pennsylvania children who’ve been abused is about to vanish. Each year, more than 15,000 Pennsylvania kids and family members who experience abuse get support through our 41 Children’s Advocacy Centers serving most of the state. These centers offer forensic interviews, trauma therapy, medical evaluations, prevention training, and more — services that help limit the impact of trauma, keep kids safe, and hold offenders accountable.

The advocacy centers rely on the Crime Victims Fund to pay for them. The fund directs a portion of the money collected from criminal prosecution to support crime victims, but agencies, including Children’s Advocacy Centers, are already experiencing frequent and massive budget cuts. Further cuts could mean longer delays, staff shortages, service reductions, or even closing centers altogether. To address this shortcoming, House and Senate lawmakers introduced the Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act. The bipartisan bills would fund services for crime victims from new criminal penalty sources, not taxes, and give Congress five years to work out a permanent fix.

Four Pennsylvania lawmakers already cosponsor the House bill. It’s going to take support from our entire congressional delegation — and Pennsylvanians like you — to get this across the finish line before more cuts hit in October.

Benita Williams, executive director, Philadelphia Children’s Alliance, and Chris Kirchner, executive director, Children’s Advocacy Centers of Pennsylvania

Before Philadelphia installs more red-light and speed cameras, it should look at the testimony Jay Beeber and three others submitted to the Pennsylvania Senate Transportation Committee on Sept. 18. There is a good analysis of the Philadelphia speed camera program, as well as other automated enforcement. This unbiased look is the exact opposite of what recent stories claim to be true. How can the same data be interpreted differently? Is the fact that Beeber does not make any money from the program and that he does not despise cars for some reason? The reality is that best-practice engineering and enforcement will yield tremendous compliance and safety. Doing the opposite and adding automated enforcement will cause problems. It looks like Philly is trying to do a backdoor car ban by ticketing every car in every way it can. This is bad for safety, fairness, businesses, and tax revenue.

James Sikorski Jr., Wapwallopen

Although I have to agree with the recent editorial (“Trump shooter’s history underscores the need for more mental health resources in schools”) that the country would be a far better place if our public schools had the resources that they need, including adequate counselors, and that we had an adequate functioning mental health system, it is unfair to stigmatize people with mental illness as violent. The elephant in the room is the easy access to guns, and the sick belief in our society, especially among young men, that guns can solve all your problems.

Mara Obelcz, Hatfield

It’s great to read about all the exciting new spots on the 100 block of Chestnut Street. However, these are great old historic buildings, most of which are not Americans with Disabilities Act accessible. There are many seniors who live in the area and would frequent these spots if they could. It would be exciting and innovative for the restaurant owners to get together and jointly figure out a way to make some (or all) of these places accessible to us.

Barbara Gold, Philadelphia

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