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Huckleberries: Generosity could help woman realize dream of walking

A North Idahoan was so taken by the courage and grit shown by 21-year-old Jamie Babin that he’s decided to give her $5,000 to help her buy a new set of leg braces. Jamie was severely injured in a plane crash when she was 16 and has spent much of the time since then lying in a hospital bed. Although her spine was effectively “shredded” by the crash, Jamie is determined to walk. Last year, against the odds, she began taking steps using leg braces. But she worked so hard, that she developed deep pressure sores, which nearly killed her. Jamie spent the summer and most of fall in nursing homes, but she surprised her family by returning home to Bonners Ferry for Thanksgiving. The story of her recovery prompted our unsung hero to do what he can to help. Jamie hopes that a better-fitting set of leg braces might prevent new wounds and will allow her to pursue a dream of walking off to college someday soon. The donor, who lives alone and asked to remain anonymous, said helping Jamie has put him in the Christmas spirit. May his kind increase.

“Post Falls Mayor Clay Larkin sez he’s boycotting his weekly KVNI morning show to protest the Grinch’s, er, KXLY’s firing of popular news director Dick Haugen. You can give KXLY a piece of your mind re: Dick’s treatment by writing to: Steve Herling, KXLY, 500 W. Boone St., Spokane 99201, or by calling Herling at (509) 324-4000.

“Whattaya do when you drop an F-bomb into an open mike during your 5 o’clock news show? If you’re KHQ, you open your 6 p.m. segment Thursday with an ap-hollow-gy.

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