The Hardest Thing To Do

Ask yourself, what is the hardest thing you have ever done? Not sure...then ask any members of COAF, they will attest that placing a loved one in a nursing home is among that hardest, if not the hardest thing they have ever had to do.

We must discern that when one truly loves a person such as your Mother, not being able to care for her in her last days on earth 24/7 is definitely hellacious to accept. We are not discussing someone who cannot get around due to physical challenges, although that too may be exacting...we're talking about Alzheimer's or some other form of dementia.

In my experience, at first mom is independent; you look in on her at least once a day. Then you start to wonder what’s wrong with her? Why is she repeating herself? All of a sudden she is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

One day you visit her and discover the stove on with nothing cooking. Why’s the stove on mom? Why are you asking me she says, I didn’t turn it on! You report this to the doctor who then informs you she is no longer self-reliant, the disease is progressing he says. Either you take her in or she has to be placed in a nursing home.

My sister and I didn’t see placement as an option so of course we take her in between the two of us. One day while with me I said - hey Mom let’s get ready to go to the supermarket. Mom says I don’t want to go, I’ll stay here. Well okay, we’ll only be about a half hour. Upon returning, Mom begins to yell why did you leave me alone all day? Mom I said, it was only 35 minutes! To her it was all day. The doctors say place her or risk criminal charges should something happen to her because she is left alone. I work, my sister works, what can or should we do?

As prudent and responsible family we research the decease and considered just how many Alzheimer’s afflicted residents of the world  have been found DEAD in a ditch somewhere, or in a creek, reported missing just days before, or found lifeless in a fire because their failing memory processes did not allow them to recall they had something cooking on the stove.

Those of you who have walk in our shoes understand perfectly well what we are discussing. Those who have not or those who care for no one but themselves, well, needless to say they will never in their lifetime comprehend.

NO, Gracedale does not have to be sold; and it should not be sold. It’s just easier for some lazy politicians to sell rather than roll up their sleeves and dirty their hands.  Our public servants have decided not to fulfill their campaign promises to us, they simply refuse to work. They don’t even want to fix Gracedale, let her DIE they say so they set Gracedale up to fail, in that way they can justify the sale.

We have been sold a lie, deceived by some of our public servants who in their madness have twisted the truth. We are supposed to be able to TRUST our elected officials, but how can we trust our local government when their story changes time and time again? They have said 20% tax increase, no 15%, no 18%, no back to 20%, no 15-20%. Their latest lie - 30%.

They need to explain 30%, because it equates to 25 Million dollars per year. Why exactly do we need that much money? And with such an increase we could build a new Gracedale.

Forget the lies on May 17- we all need do the morally right thing, Vote YES – Keep Gracedale in County Hands.

Rev. Mario Martinez