April 7, 1981
Dear Dr. Hedrick:
Following our several telephone conversations, I am sending you two prints of paintings done by Joni Eareckson as well as a picture of Joni doing a  painting with her teeth.
To recapitulate, it seemed to me a very appropriate thing for the JAMA cover, which is usually devoted to a work of art, to use the work of art of a  handicapped person in acknowledgment of the AMA's recognition of the International Year of Disabled Persons. One scenario which I thought might be very effective is a picture on the cover done by a paraplegic who paints with her teeth, inside the cover the President's proclamation on the Year of Disabled Persons, and on the masthead of the JAMA, a picture of the artist at work with the paint brush between her teeth.  She is not only an able artist  but, as you can see from the material I am sending you, a very attractive girl as well and I think the psychological advantage to the handicapped people of the country and the reminder to physicians of what the potential of these people can be would be of inestimable value.
I will be glad to discuss this with any of the people at the AMA if you would be kind enough to put them in touch with me.
Many thanks.
Sincerely yours,
C. Everett Koop, M.D.
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health