Illnesses In America

There are Americans that suffer every day from chronic illnesses. In America we offer care for our elderly family members in nursing facilities around the country. On estimation forty to seventy percent of chronically ill patients die in great amounts of pain.(Angela Morrow RN). There comes a day where we all grow old, and tend to need help, whether it is from a nursing facility or our family members. We then start to feel like a burden to the people that care for us each and every day. I remember the days where my Papa Phil used to turn up the record player and sign on the top of his lungs and dance to the song, “The Ring of Fire”. We would all join in, dancing and laughing making memories that he would one day forget.
He was a man of character; always giving back to the community. He took care of himself along with eight big hearted children, he did not deserve to be robbed of all his memories.
It all started very slowly. “Where did his wallet go?” “Who took his keys?”-“Where did the time go?” Each month grew quieter as I sat holding his …show more content…
It may be right for you, or it maybe right for me someday, but we will not know till we are faced with whatever old age brings our way. The loss of oneself's independence and dignity will play a big role in our options of ending our lives and relieve our self from our sufferings. My Papa Phil was a man of great character. He felt like a burden on my family, no matter how much you stressed to him that you loved him. Looking into his ocean blue eyes you could see his loss of dignity as well as his strength to hide his sufferings for his family. He had just turned eighty two years old when he decided he could no longer hide his sufferings no matter how hard he tried. Holding his grey hand looking into his sunken eyes, as he laid there in his bed brought tears to both of our eyes. I kissed him on the forehead, and whispered to him. “ I love you- you will be forever in my heart.” Goodbye