I wouldn't. But for Sandra Day O'Connor, the fact her husband has a new girlfriend is a relief. I came across the article in USA Today and I think this is one of the truest definitions of love I've found. Here's the link to the article:
A New Page in O'Connors' Love Story - AOL News
See, John O'Connor has Alzheimer's. He lives in a home for patients with severe Alzheimer's in Arizona. His wife, Sandra Day O'Connor, retired from the U.S. Supreme Court last year in order to help take care of her husband. Now, at 77 years of age and with a personality compromised due to Alzheimer's, John O'Connor has found a new girlfriend, also a patient at the home.
Does Sandra get jealous? Bitter? Resentful? No. She's pleased. When she visits, she sees John happy, content and, as their eldest son described, "like a teenager in love." Due to this wretched disease, Mr. O'Connor is no longer the same person. He may not even realize he is still married to his same wife of 50 years. But Alzheimer's, according to experts, doesn't diminish one's capacity and need for human relationships.
Justice O'Connor is doing the absolute best she can with a situation beyond her control. And really, she's shown me the truest definition of love-putting aside one's personal desires for the best situation for a loved one. If you click on the link above, you may want a box of Kleenex nearby... it's a tear jerker, folks...
A New Page in O'Connors' Love Story - AOL News
See, John O'Connor has Alzheimer's. He lives in a home for patients with severe Alzheimer's in Arizona. His wife, Sandra Day O'Connor, retired from the U.S. Supreme Court last year in order to help take care of her husband. Now, at 77 years of age and with a personality compromised due to Alzheimer's, John O'Connor has found a new girlfriend, also a patient at the home.
Does Sandra get jealous? Bitter? Resentful? No. She's pleased. When she visits, she sees John happy, content and, as their eldest son described, "like a teenager in love." Due to this wretched disease, Mr. O'Connor is no longer the same person. He may not even realize he is still married to his same wife of 50 years. But Alzheimer's, according to experts, doesn't diminish one's capacity and need for human relationships.
Justice O'Connor is doing the absolute best she can with a situation beyond her control. And really, she's shown me the truest definition of love-putting aside one's personal desires for the best situation for a loved one. If you click on the link above, you may want a box of Kleenex nearby... it's a tear jerker, folks...
2 comments:
Hmmmmmm....... I believe I would be happy that my husband could find comfort and happiness during this most difficult time. However, I would have to wonder if he would forget that he had a new girlfriend and that he was in love with her.
I know the disease affects the short term memory more so than the long term memeory - am I correct? If this is true, wouldn't he forget the new love? Rather confusing.
That's a good question-and one I can't answer since I'm not a professional in the field of Alzheimer's research. However, I do know enough to google it!
I looked on the web site for the Alzheimer's Association and found there is a widely accepted formula for determining what level a patient is at. These seven steps were described with words like "usually" and "generally"-leading me to believe there are no absolutes. Seems most folks with family members who have Alzheimer's would say the same-sometimes it's a better day than others.
For me, the beauty of this story wasn't in the level of impairment Mr. O'Connor has, but rather former Justice O'Connor's loving reaction to her husband's disease.
Post a Comment