Sad announcement from Sandra Day O’Connor
At 88, she writes that she has been diagnosed with dementia, probably Alzheimer’s.
“I will continue living in Phoenix, Arizona surrounded by dear friends and family,” she wrote and added, “While the final chapter of my life with dementia may be trying, nothing has diminished my gratitude and deep appreciation for the countless blessings of my life.”
A dementia diagnosis is one of the most difficult possibilities in later life. I think everyone “of a certain age” is frightened by the prospect. Every time we forget something or do something absent-minded the specter rises. And for someone like O’Connor, whose intellect was a very big part of her nature, the future losses may loom especially hard.
On the other hand, as she says, she is surrounded by family and has lived a rich, full life. This has to help somewhat, although not enough. I wish O’Connor and her family well in dealing with this terribly trying period of her life.
In doing some research on O’Connor, I also came across a website for an organization she founded. The goal is the teaching of civics to young people. I have no idea whether it’s politically neutral or not, but at first glance (and I didn’t spend much time there) the aim appears to be to teach about how government functions without getting into specifically partisan messages.
I happened to see something on the news last night that quoted a survey which found that only about a third of Americans can name the three branches of government. That’s how low the teaching of civics in this country has sunk. Shameful.
It is very sad. I do hope she remains mostly compos.
I too fear it, and just as you say, every time I lose track of something — I wonder.
PS. Thanks for the link. They will have my support, I think.
I spent an afternoon with her when she visited a post to which I was assigned almost 20 years ago. She was a sharp lady, very perceptive, and I am sorry to hear of this diagnosis. As Julie says above, though, it is a diagnosis we all fear as we get older.
Not to demean the great lady any, but I saw a interview with the actor Richard Dreyfuss some years ago. I assumed he was far left, but towards the end of the interview he made an impassioned plea for more civics education in our primary/secondary schools and perhaps outside of school.
Here is a bit lifted from his website that I got the RD’s imdb.com page.
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Segueing from civics to fundamental economics, the Whitehouse has just put out a 72 page document on the inevitable pitfalls of socialism, under the auspices of The Council of Economic Advisors, purportedly authored by Kevin Hassett. It’s entitled “The Opportunity Costs of Socialism.”
Here is some commentary on it, and also the document itself.
Another amazing free economic treatise that came out a few weeks ago is “Principles for Navigating Big Debt Crises” by hedge fund guy Ray Dalio. It’s long and dry and repetitive in a way, since it treats generalized categories and then covers explicit examples in detail.
We need a short civics competency test before one is allowed to vote.
Richard Dreyfuss has founded a similar organization:
“To teach our kids how to run our country, before they are called upon to run our country…if we don’t, someone else will run our country.”
– Richard Dreyfuss
Richard Dreyfuss has founded a similar organization:
“To teach our kids how to run our country, before they are called upon to run our country…if we don’t, someone else will run our country.”
– Richard Dreyfuss
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=380&v=eLVmk0b2Q70