Respirator saved lives of son, granddaughter

Dear Dr. Bird,

Your respirator has saved two lives in my family. My son James (HMD) now 30 was born in Baptist Hospital, Nashville Tenn. Because they had all their "Birds" in use he was transferred to Vanderbilt Hospital and was treated by Dr. Mildred Stallman's team.

At about eight or nine days of 80 to 100 percent oxygen he was not improving and Lydia and I got on our knees in her hospital room and offered him to God. He began to improve at that very moment. He came home after 21 days of treatment. He is now married and has a 3-month-old son.

Three years ago this Dec. 7 my eighth grandchild was born. She was HMD also. Thankfully she was born at Vanderbilt Hospital. To my surprise no one on the staff got very upset. She was home in seven days. My guess is that Dr. Stallman was one of your first customers since she pioneered in the area of infant pulmonary distress. I can remember when she was using iron lungs.

My first knowledge of you was the 60 Minutes program last night. When it finally clicked in my head who you are and the impact you have had on my family all I could do was cry.

I just wanted to say thank you. God bless you and your wife and your work.

JIM and LYDIA BANKER

Nashville, Tenn.

PS: I caught a 21-pound rainbow in your lake a few years ago.