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November|December2009 aarpmagazine.org$4.50 World’sLargestCirculationMagazine Atragicloss,a lifesavinggift. Heruntoldstory Natalie Cole BOUNCE BACK! Thesecretsof resilientpeople BOUNCE BACK! The sof reiliepe Good value holiday guide Festivefood, greatgifts, traveltips ;BESTEMPLOYERS2009:OUREXCLUSIVELIST; HEROIC PETS Amazing real-liferescues ; Ted Kennedy’s private notes en s ri a o s Howto getyour health insurerto sayYES PAGE30
THENEW
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Unforgettable
I was so moved by the interview with
Natalie Cole. When my own mother
went into kidney failure, our lives were
transformed. Her pre-dialysis days
were filled with fatigue and fog. Then
came the actual dialysis, which was
painful and miserable. Fortunately, through the grace
of God and a family who understood the true meaning
of giving, she received a kidney last March and is
doing great! I can’t express enough how desperately
donors are needed.
CHERYL WESTMORELAND, M.D., Indianapolis, Indiana
Paws and Effects
Like the people in “Tails of Love,” I
know firsthand of the special bond
that pets and humans share. Recently
my niece was driving to college with
her dog, Sable. During the trip, Sable
became so agitated that my niece
pulled over—where she discovered
that an electrical problem had caused
a fire in the vehicle. Sable stayed by my
niece’s side until help arrived.
America’s Most Heroic Pets
Has your pet saved a
life? Or made someone’s
life better? Tell us and
you could win a $1,000
gift card, in AARP’s Most
Heroic Pet contest*
(aarpmagazine
.org /petcontest).
NEW ON THE WEB
LESLIE GOLDMAN
Baltimore, Maryland
Clutter Challenge
Send before and after
photos of your home: the
person with the biggest
organization transformation wins a $1,000 gift
card and a chat with
clutter expert Ciji Ware
( aarpmagazine.org /
clutterchallenge).
When Insurers Say No
When insurance companies deny
health claims (“The Claim Game”),
readers should try a small-claims
court. Some years ago my health insurance company refused to pay my
claim. Letters and calls were fruitless,
so I started an action in small-claims
court. I was paid within 48 hours.
WIN ATR FOR TWO
CATHERINE M. PEREBINOSSOFF
New York, New York
Send your letters to The Mail, AARP
THE MAGAZINE, 601 E St. N W, Washington,
DC 20049, or e-mail aarpmagazine@
aarp.org. Letters may be edited and
shortened as necessary.
Good Deeds, Great Vacation
AARP THE MAGAZINE’s
Inspiration Vacation,
brought to you by The
Sandals Foundation and
Beaches Resort: Know
someone whose service
improved lives? Share his
or her story—that worthy
person could win a luxuri-
ous trip to Jamaica**
( aarpmagazine.org /
inspirationvacation).
Pioneering Porters
Thank you for your feature about the
Pullman porters, “Moving History.”
These men of elegance were the best
and brightest of their day. Former Supreme Court justice Thurgood Marshall’s father and North Pole explorer
Matthew Henson were both Pullman
reform myths and scare tactics—at
AARP’s HealthActionNow.org.
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porters. A mere generation from slavery, these proud—and, in many cases,
well-educated—black men set the
stage for a new black middle class.
BILL BURMAN
San Antonio, Texas
The porters are a big part of what
made my childhood trips on the rails
so special. From the firm and gentle
hand that helped you aboard, to the
smiles and jokes they always shared, I
remember thinking they were some of
the most marvelous men on earth. One
fine tenor even passed through our car
one night and sang us all a lullaby.
LINDA WESTON
Missoula, Montana
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Share your own health
care story—and find
information and
answers about some
of the top health care
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*No purchase necessary to enter or win.
Open to residents of the United States
and D.C. who are over the age of 45.
Entry period ends January 4, 2010. Void
where prohibited. Approximate retail
value of the prize is $1,000. For
full details, visit aarpmagazine.org/
petcontest. **No purchase necessary
to enter or win. Open to residents of the
United States and D.C. who are over the
age of 50. Entry period ends February
28, 2010. Void where prohibited. Approx-
imate retail value of the prize is $10,000.
For full details visit aarpmagazine.org/
inspirationvacation.
