Chapter 13: Lessons From The Journey: Exploring Citizenship through Active Civic Involvement

January 25, 2008

Dear Senator Hillary Clinton,

Here at Good Citizens Elementary School, the fourth and fifth grade combination class has been given a chance to write to a candidate. I picked you because you have many excellent ideas to help us and our world. I love your ideas about Universal Healthcare. Our class has been trying to raise money for a little girl’s operation; she has a rare disease called Moebius Syndrome. This disease affects the sixth and seventh cranial nerves, which means she cannot smile or make any other facial expressions. She is only 3 years old and her insurance company thinks of this surgery as plastic surgery, so they won’t cover the operation fee. Some countries cover the payment when you go to the hospital, so maybe you can change it and make sure everyone has health insurance at a reasonable price. We would really appreciate it if you would come to our school.