Daily News from New York, New York • 622

ADVICE DAHYmNEWS If You're Sleepy, Don't Drive PRESENTS THE like a broken record, but I hope my readers get the message. LIVE AT RADIO CITY Dear Ann: There is a crying need for parents and teachers to teach children of all ages how to write a gracious thank-you note. This letter is a desper- I EAR ANN: RECENTLY, YOU I 111 printed a letter about a young Iv man who died in a middle-of-the-night car crash. Unfortunately, some people tend to push their ability to drive beyond their capacity to do so safely. Sleep deprivation is one of the major under-recognized killers in our society.

In the contest between the will to stay awake and the need to sleep, sleep will always win. Too often, the driver ends up wrapped around a telephone pole. ate attempt to bring it to their attention. Here is a sample of a thank-you note I received recently. "Grandma, thanks for the money.

'Jason No "Dear Grandma," no mention of wnw. wum wum what he would do with the money. No cute drawing if he didn't want to write words and no signing off "with love. There was only his full signature as if I might not know who Jason is. Did any teacher ever 7 lll-Il'l II 1 1 1 ft 1 I i teach ME how to write a thank-you note? No! Did I ever teach my students how to do this simple but I gracious act? No! As a doctor, I frequently see patients who suffered major head trauma in accidents that occurred at night The student who stays awake cramming for a Friday morning exam, celebrates by drinking a lot and ends up driving himself home is in great danger.

Please let your readers know that sleep deprivation increases the effect of alcohol. Tell them, too: Whether you are drinking or not, don't drive when you are tired! It is so simple just one loving, thoughtful, gra cious sentence is enough. This habit started early in life can be a door-open er to many blessings. ANN LANDERS Please, parents and teachers, think about it I wish I had. A Former Teacher and Present Grandmother in Vista, Calif.

Dear Vista: Teachers often write to tell me they discussed my column in class. This pleases me immensely. I hope your letter will be a topic for Daniel A. Katz, M.D., Department of Neurology, The Menninger Clinic, Topeka, Kan. Dear Dr.

Katz: YOU told them, in a way I never could, and I thank you. Too often, people take a drink because they "need a lift." What they do not realize is that alcohol is a depressant After the lift comes the letdown, and then another drink is needed to recapture that "happy" feeling. I'll sign off before I begin to sound classroom discussion around the globe. Thank you for writing. If yon have quMttons about drags, yon Med Ana Landers' booklet The Lewdowa oa Dope." Send a self addressed, long envelope and (3.65 to: Low-down, co Ana Landers, P.O.

Bos 1152, CMcago, IL eosil-osez. MS creators syndicate rOcwr -r i I ltd I ASK DR. BROTHERS Children's Emotional Aftershocks the fear of falling. That fear is in nate, and when the ground quakes, it can make children of us all. Dear Dr.

Brothers: Some people seem to go through terrible tragedies and come out whole, while others sim ply can't cope. Often, those who man at EAR DR. BROTHERS: BOTH my children a boy, 8, and a daughter, 10 went through the recent California earthquake. We lived near the epicenter and one of our neighbors lost his life. Although our own home was seriously damaged, I thought my husband I both managed well in keeping our children as calm and secure as possible under the circumstances.

Because we thought we did well, I'm amazed that they're still suffering from nightmares. How long will that go on? Is it a normal reaction to severe stress? N.E. age the best after disasters seem to be relatively weak in other areas. One would never predict that they would be the real survivors and be able to cope well enough to help others. What explains it? K.A.

Dear K.A.: Studies show that those who have survived and come through previous crises are likelier to be more sure of themselves and better at coping. It's as National Network of Children's Advocacy Centers Camp WIN Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Foundation LIFEbeat NARAS Foundation OFFICIAL RULES NO PURCHASE NECESSARY if they've learned and gained confidence from what they've experienced Dear N.E.: Yes, it is. However, I believe your children should have some professional counseling if they haven't already had it to help them sort out their feelings. Survivors of disasters, especially children, often suffer from guilt anxiety at having survived; even though they and their immediate families may have escaped unhurt, they're bound to suffer some emo in the past 1. Clip entry form.

2. Complete all spaces and mail to address on form. Enter as often as you wish, but each entry must be mailed separately. Winners will be selected in a random drawing among all ebgible entries received. Chances of winning Surprisingly, women are often better at coping with serious emergencies than men.

Women who might depend on the number of eligible entries received. All taxes become the sole responsibility of prize winners. 3. This sweepstakes is open to all residents of the United States 18 years of age or older except employees of the Dairy News. Radio City Music Hall, their subsidiaries, affiliates, advertising agencies and the families of each.

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PHOTOCOPIES OR MECHANICALLY REPRODUCED ENTRIES NOT ELIGIBLE. 4. Mailman envelope no larger than 4 12' 9 12" (10 envelope). NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Entrants may enter on a plain piece of paper no larger than 4" 5" on which scream if a mouse ran DR.

JOYCE BROTHERS across the kitchen floor might well be poised and (A they have hand printed a facsimile of the entry form and filled in an the spaces. Copies of the Daily News available at many focal libraries. 5. All incidentals to be paid by prize winner. Grand prize winner wit be required to sign a publicity release form and affidavit of eligibility.

6. For names of winners (available at the end of the promotion) send a separate, self-addressed, stamped 10 envelope to: Winners List. "Barney" Sweepstakes. Daily News, 220 East 42nd St. New York.

Y. 10017. NO CERTIFIED, OVERSIZED, REGISTERED OR EXPRESS MAIL ACCEPTED. NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR DELAY Of MAIL NO TELEPHONE INQUIRIES ACCEPTED. DEADLINE RJIEjNOON, OrAYlWVRCH 7, 1994 totally confident in a real emergency.

Generally speaking, women withstand stress better than men throughout life. Support groups are enormously important in helping people understand and survive crises. Family background is also important in predicting how people will react Those from authoritarian families generally become tional damage. Dr. Janet Newman, who participated in a study of flood survivors, noted that the common heritage of most child survivors of disaster was a modified sense of reality, increased vulnerability to future stresses and a precocious awareness of fragmentation and death.

It would be foolish to assume that there would be no psychological aftershocks to what your chil PLEASE PRINT Cnmntote mtinnn nnrt mjH in- to to Q. I Dairy News Barney SweeDStakes. P.O. Box 4849. I Grand Central Station, New York, NY 10163 more panicked, while those who were taught to make decisions on their own dren have been through.

I Name Address Apt i i aJlf CDZf I I Day ptK)ne-. 3 3twk. I I Aniearthqmake.Qf that magnitude fare betteri I 4aaj feafras most basic pears.