
                         THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
                 Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, June 24, 1994                    TAG: 9406240019 
SECTION: FRONT                     PAGE: A12    EDITION: FINAL  
SOURCE: Short 
DATELINE: 940624                                 LENGTH:

NOT COOL

{LEAD} I had a laryngectomy; thus, I breathe through a rather small hole in my neck. I wear a bib for ``looks'' as well as the hope of filtering the air we have before it pours into my lungs. When it is a warm day, the bib gets soggy and breathing is somewhat hampered.

Last Saturday night (check your weather records for temps and humidity), our air conditioner stopped. I called the emergency service of the reputable company that installed the heating and air in our fine Gallagher home in Glenwood. I left a message on the ``unanswering'' machine.

{REST} On Sunday we were contacted by the contract serviceman who stated that he would come out to check and repair the air conditioner. Cost: $94 per hour. A sick air conditioner! Now I know full well why I cannot afford health insurance in this present world of ours.

It's Monday. I still hope to find breatheable air. I really don't want to live in the malls.

JAMES P. McKAY

Virginia Beach, June 20, 1994

by CNB