Injured student thanks community
Letter to the Editor
Now and then negative things are said about the University of Notre Dame. Usually students, like myself, can find many trivial things to complain about. Examples include book costs, dining hall food, sports teams, parietals, student government, The Observer, etc. Sometimes these small problems can block our view of the kindness and generosity of the Notre Dame community. I will never again overlook the compassion of this community.
About two months ago I was struck by a car while returning home from the establishment known as the Linebacker. I spent nine days in St. Joseph's Medical Center followed by another two days in the infirmary. While I was at St. Joe's, I received numerous visitors, many of whom I do not remember due to my condition. I also received many get-well cards. For this I am very grateful. I am convinced that all the prayers and support I have received here have helped contribute to the speed of my recovery. Unfortunately, there is nothing I can do to fully reciprocate all the kindness I received. I would like to do this to a limited extent by ending this letter by thanking the people who aided my recovery through their support.
I would like to begin by thanking the University as a whole for their prayers and concern. I also thank the Offices of Resident Life, student government and Student Affairs. I would also like to thank all my friends here, my fellow Chemical Engineering classmates and professors and my high school alma mater, St. Edward, for their support. I would like to thank my family for their prayers and especially my father, who took off work to come to South Bend to keep an eye on me during first part of my recovery, when I was at my weakest. I would also like to give special thanks to my dorm, Dillon Hall, my section and especially the rest of my hall staff. Most of all I would like to extend my utmost gratitude to Fr. Paul Doyle, who was there with me after the accident, regularly visited me in the hospital and kept the dorm updated on my progress in the hospital. I am very grateful to this community as a whole and I plan to return the love as a part of the community in the future. Thank you all very much.
Joe Steirer
Resident Assistant
Dillon Hall
January 22, 2001
All Viewpoint Stories for Tuesday, January 23, 2001
