Oh, my.

Just seeing the aluminum grill covers of Le Bonheur brings back memories of being taken to see my pediatrician, Dr. Charles Barton Etter, whose offices were connected to the hospital.

He was a wonderful person. His patients will remember the little airplanes he made out of tongue depressors, adhesive tape, and a plain, white, plastic-wrapped candy stick.

Some of my memories are frightening ones. Does anyone recall the iron lungs that were parked along the corridors of Le Bonheur? I had polio in the summer of 1954, but I was not hospitalized. No room. I never needed an iron lung, and my case was mild. Someone from Dr. Etter's office came to my house twice a day.

In the summer of 1957, I was stricken with red measles, but the heat prevented me from breaking out. I was dehydrated. Dr. Etter carried me from his office, into the corridor, and through the two doors with round windows. I knew I was in trouble, as THAT was the hospital itself. He put me in quarrantine and on an IV. The room was air-conditioned, and I recovered. That summer, my folks bought their first window unit that cooled our entire house. Before that, we used an attic fan, like everybody else.

Le Bonheur and Dr. Etter saved my life more than once. Thank you for posting these photos. I know I'm not the only one who remembers that aluminum grill at Le Bonheur and the memories and emotions it brews.

Thanks.
A. Long