One of the great things about assisting the Scottish Rite's foundations is the wonderful people we meet in person and by letter. A case in point is Bro. Phillip A. Yantis, 32°, K.C.C.H., and his lovely wife, Elna (both pictured below). Both of these fine people have been interested, personally and professionally, in childhood language disorders all their lives. Thus, they have been among the strongest supporters of the Scottish Rite's Childhood Language Disorders Program. They have made helping children with language and learning problems a high priority in their lives. This fact is clear from a letter Brother Yantis recently sent to Ill. William R. Miller, 33°, S.G.I.G. in Washington. We are pleased to share Bro. Yantis' letter, with his permission, with the readers of the Scottish Rite Journal.

My wife, Elna, and I first met in 1952 while attending graduate school at the University of Michigan. Our academic interests were closely related within the field of human communication disorders—Elna in speech-language pathology and I in hearing impairment (audiology). As our professional careers developed, we had the opportunity to work closely with individuals who, for a variety of reasons, were unable to talk or listen normally in their relationships with others.

We quickly became cognizant of the devastating effects such disorders can have. This is especially true for children and their families. The capacity to vocalize or articulate intelligible speech, or to understand the spoken language of others, is a characteristic we expect to see in all our children at a young age. When impaired for any reason, the child's inability to communicate with peers and parents often leads to serious emotional and social consequences. If inadequately addressed early in life, such impairments can strongly and negatively affect the educational and vocational achievements desired in later years.

Both Elna and I had heard of Scottish Rite Childhood Language Disorders Clinics in various cities during our professional careers. But we had little information regarding the extent of their work until I became a member in the Seattle Valley. There we learned of the clinical program in Seattle, Spokane, and three other locations throughout the state. The dedication of the speech-language pathologists over the 15 years of the program's existence has provided the gift of speech to over a thousand children. The program has received universal praise. The Seattle clinic was named "Seattle's Best Charity" by Seattle's Child a few years ago. And the provision of these services without charge to the families has brought a community service to the Pacific Northwest that would not be affordable to many.

Elna and I are pleased to join with so many others within the Scottish Rite, as well as outside the Fraternity, in supporting a program which, both locally and nationally, is making such a difference in the lives of so many. May it continue to grow!

Phillip A. Yantis, 32°, K.C.C.H., is a member of the Valley of Seattle, Washington. He was raised in Edmonds Lodge No. 165, Edmonds, Washington, and is a Professor Emeritus, University of Washington (Speech & Hearing Sciences); President, Board of Directors, Seattle Valley, Center for Childhood Language Disorders; Secretary, Board of Directors, Orient of Washington; Former President, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (1975). Elna Yantis was the Program Manager, Speech-Language-Hearing Services (now retired) of Edmonds School District 15, Edmonds, Washington.

Ill. Thomas M. Boles, 33°, G.C. (left in photo) has worked extensively in fund-raising for children's programs throughout our Fraternity. For more information on planned giving, call Bro. Tom at 562–691–4227 (Fax 562–691–5327) or the Scottish Rite Foundation, Southern Jurisdiction, U.S.A., at 202–232–3579, ext. 143. Ill. Earl E. Ihle, Jr., 33°, is our development team's Director of Major Gifts. He has been a member of the Fraternity for 25 years and served in 1978 as Master of Lafayette Lodge, No. 111, Baltimore, Maryland. He is also a member of Boumi Shrine Temple in Baltimore, the York Rite, and a dual member of the Scottish Rite Valleys of Baltimore and Washington, D.C. You can reach Bro. Ihle toll free at 1–800–486–3331.