Keys to life:  Manual typewriter, Heartscan

One enriched life, the other saved it

By Paul Simon

Former senator Paul Simon, D-III., 70, heads the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, III. He retired in January 1997 after 22 years in Congress. Earlier this year, He had coronary artery bypass surgery to correct blockages in six arteries. Simon who has written or co-authored 18 books, teaches political science and journalism and is dedicated to finding " new ways of solving some very old problems"

There are two technological developments in the 2Oth century that have meant much to me: the perfection of the manual typewriter and a medical breakthrough called the Heartscan. One enriched my life, and the other may have saved it.

I am writing this essay on my manual typewriter, as I have all 18 of my books and who-knows-how-many magazine and newspaper articles. When I do research at the Library of Congress. I have to use a computer, and with some reluctance and with some lack of skill, I do so.

But I am at home on my manual typewriter. I am joined in that use by Al Neuharth of USA TODAY fame, by historians Daniel Boorstin and David Mccullough, and by a host of others. Before his death, author James Michener said that, he preferred the manual typewriter to a computer word processor that "just manufactures words" without care. The manual typewriter permitted him to choose his use of language more carefully, he commented in a radio interview. But if he were to start over again, he might stick to a fountain pen, which requires an even more careful and prudent use of words.

I get an emotional release by pounding on this keyboard. I have no concerns what the year 2000 will do to the ability of this old machine to adjust to the next millennium. And my small grandchildren love to come and sit on my lap and "type." Perhaps my most widely used picture shows me with my then 3-year-old granddaughter CJ thoroughly enjoying her turn at my manual typewriter.

And when I finish these pages, I will mark them up and have my secretary retype them. I don't have to worry about the printer not working or pushing some button that will erase a good portion of what I have written though some readers believe that would be a good idea.

The typewriter has permitted thousands of authors to enrich the lives of all of us. For that I am grateful, as I am to the authors who write with more speed and less care on their word processors.

If we only knew of computers, and someone came along with a new machine that could operate without electricity, that permitted its users to never lose a word because of pushing the wrong button, we would join in hosannas of praise for this great new device. I have it!

The second breakthrough is one most people know nothing about, and many should.

I read in a magazine that about 20% of those over the age of 6, or with a family history of heart trouble, will have a heart attack or stroke with no symptoms of high blood pressure, high cholesterol or chest pains. A new device called a Heartscan could take a sort of X-ray of your arteries and veins without any risk I found that two large hospitals in Illinois had this Heartscan and the 10-minute procedure cost about $400 I had none of the usual symptoms, but I am 70 years old, and I thought that even if they told me I had no problems, it would be worth the $400

I went to Rush-Presbyterian Hospital in Chicago, and the result was not good. They told me in clear terms that I had a problem that needed to be dealt with. After checking with my local physician in Carbonale III., I went to St John’s Medical Center in Springfield III. – closer to my home than Chicago, and they did an angiogram, an invasive test in which colored dye is inserted into the bloodstream and a very accurate assessment can be made.

Because there is a slight risk with the angiogram, physicians do not recommend it unless there are indications of a problem. The angiogram confirmed the Heartscan results. The physicians at St. John's said I needed a heart bypass and I requested that they do it the next day.

I had portions of six arteries replaced, and for a for weeks after the operation my energy level was not high, any cough or sneeze caused great pain, and even a simple thing like driving on our somewhat rough country road gave me problems.

The operation occurred Jan. 5. I am typing this on May 10, and I feel no pain. I do run out of breath easily when I walk or play tennis, but they assure this impatient patient that will gradually change. Without the Heartscan I was headed for a serious stroke or heart attack. So I am now an evangelist for older people and those with a genetic inclination for heart trouble to get a Heartscan.

So if either your typewriter or heart presents a problem. Get it repaired. Don’t get a substitute!