I am writing to ask you to please maintain St. Luke's Hospital open for our community.

My son was born at St. Luke's hospital in April of this year. My husband and I chose the care of the Homestyle midwifery practice to support us through this amazing time. The care that we received through our midwives and the staff at St. Luke's was outstanding and far exceeded any expectations.

With 24 hours of patience, warm water and the incredible support that I received, the labor was over with no complications. So many women that I know have spoken of childbirth as this 'traumatic'event that deeply scarred them. I on the other hand feel totally empowered by my experience. I believe that this would not have been the case in another hospital setting. Fear, rather than understanding seems to rule the process of decision making in most other environments. Women, partners and babies have the right to have this chance to feel this empowered and should have the choice to have this kind of support and experience.

Please maintain St. Luke's. It is our neighborhood hospital. Where else will I bring my son when he falls in the playground or at a baseball game? I don't want to have to drive across town in traffic or brave the over-burdened halls of General. We count on St. Luke's and the care that we know we will receive from the people that work there.

Sincerely,
Jaime Gagliardi