tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208401365281331903.post8339982823835296575..comments2023-09-20T11:31:54.194-04:00Comments on Rabble Rouser Ruminations: What A Loss; What A LifeRabble Rouser Reverend Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14965609706204555067noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208401365281331903.post-39786125451078304772010-03-14T14:23:17.701-04:002010-03-14T14:23:17.701-04:00SFIndie, thank you so much for sharing the story o...SFIndie, thank you so much for sharing the story of your mother and her dementia. You are fortunate indeed that your sister was willing and able to acknowledge what was going on with her, and stood strong with you. Believe me, that cannot be taken for granted (Mom had some dementia, too, probably for a year or two before she actually died. Not all of my siblings were able to accept that, which made making decisions difficult indeed.).<br /><br />And thank you for helping to educate people on this disease. It is a devastating disease, I know, and must have been very hard on you and your family.<br /><br />You and Mary Ellen are so right, though - someone should have done more for Ms. Coggins. They should have been there regardless of what she said. I understand her son lived in GA, but still - but to not make sure her bills were being paid and everything? At her age? Sometimes, the kids have to be the parents, even when the parents say no. If they are no longer capable of taking care of basic issues like paying bills and keeping their utilities on, heck yes, someone should step in.<br /><br />And Mary Ellen, I was surprised, too, that her utilities could be turned off in Feb., especially since we had unseasonably cold weather. Perhaps they have been overwhelmed by people not paying their utilities from lack of income, so didn't think anything abt someone not paying them after SIXTEEN YEARS of being in the same place. Who knows, but it is surprising that they did that. Surely they knew she was a senior citizen (I didn't think they were allowed to cut off a senior citizen's power without some major hoops, etc.).<br /><br />There is so much that is sad abt this article - that the neighbors didn't keep a better eye on her, that her son didn't keep a better eye on her, that people were not more insistent that she take their help...On down the road it goes.<br /><br />But what she accomplished in her life was amazing, and no, SF, she didn't play the race card except to say she wasn't there just because she was black - she was there to DO something. What a concept.<br /><br />Mary Ellen, you need to check out Montserrat, too. I think it's the perfect place for us! :-)<br /><br />Great comments, y'all - thank you!Rabble Rouser Reverend Amyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14965609706204555067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208401365281331903.post-4353422387368056462010-03-14T13:30:25.091-04:002010-03-14T13:30:25.091-04:00I'm always sad when I hear of a senior citizen...I'm always sad when I hear of a senior citizen who seems to fall between the cracks and no one notices. In her case, a woman who has contributed so much with her career and afterward, makes the sting even worse. <br /><br />I don't understand why her heat was turned off at that time. In Illinois, even with non-payment, the heat cannot be turned off in the winter months. However, if it is turned off before winter (I think they consider Nov.1st as winter), then they don't have to turn it on again until payment. <br /><br />My mom said that medicare apparently pays for services that do "well checks" on seniors. The trouble is, the service companies that come around are unreliable and only want to get money from medicare...they don't follow through on their "well checks" but they always get their paperwork in on time to get their money from medicare. <br /><br />We'll certainly mourn her loss, and I wish that at least Michelle Obama would have mentioned her and given condolences.Mary Ellenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07835150057881066641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208401365281331903.post-45249207441635472112010-03-14T12:55:14.480-04:002010-03-14T12:55:14.480-04:00Oh, Rev, how sad this is. What an amazing woman an...Oh, Rev, how sad this is. What an amazing woman and what an amazing life. It appears she chose NOT to use her race to get create change, but instead used her mind and her character. What a great role model!<br /><br />While I can understand people not wanting to infringe on her privacy, which unfortunately led to Ms. Goggins' tragic death, I hope this brings greater awareness to the public about the devastation of dementia. Someone suffering from that disease is not capable of making their own decisions, and help must often be provided despite their protests.<br /><br />When my mother was initially diagnosed with Alzheimer's (which, for those who aren't aware is actually a form of dementia) she had already, for several years, exhibited the classic signs of the disease. As it progressed (and rather quickly) she became incapable of taking care of herself while also insisting there was nothing wrong with her. She was furious when my sister and I brought in a caregiver. And, when it became obvious that she could no longer live alone, and we had to place her in a facility, she would either cry to us or scream at us every day about how much she hated it and why couldn't she go home, there was nothing wrong with her, etc. etc.<br /><br />The public needs to understand that when a friend or family member becomes as reclusive as Ms. Goggins, they must step in whether or not their help is wanted.<br /><br />You're right that it's important to focus on her achievements rather than her death. And, if we can better understand the disease that robbed her of her ability to care for herself, perhaps we can save lives.<br /><br />I wonder if awareness and education of dementia shows up on any of those 2700+ pages of the health care reform bill? Nah, probably not. It affects seniors, after all, and we know what a drain on the health care system THEY are.<br /><br />Juanita Goggins had more character and caring and accomplishments in her little finger than our Pretender In Chief has in his whole frikkin' body.<br /><br />I wonder if the Texas School Board will include Juanita Goggins in their revised text books????<br /><br />Montserrat in 2012! (I showed that link to both my sister and a friend...both LOVED it!)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com