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I'm here to report that there's one vote Barack Obama won't get in this
historic presidential election -- my 89 year old mother's. But don't get
excited John McCain. This isn't a vote for you. You see, Mom's not voting
for Senator Obama simply because she can no longer understand what the voting
process is all about. The dementia she has suffered from for years has robbed
her of the ability to make an informed decision in this election. Mom would be
devastated if she knew.
But she doesn't. I had a conversation with her this past weekend to see if
there was any hope of her being able to exercise her voting rights. When I
asked her if she knew who was running for president -- she didn't. When I
explained about the candidates, as objectively as possible, and asked Mom if she
had an opinion on who she'd vote for -- she didn't. And when I asked her if she
wanted me to get more information for her -- she didn't. At that point,
I watched her retreat into the cave of her dementia; that place where she
doesn't have to face the fact that she can no longer make important decisions
like the one that will be made tomorrow.
If she were able, I know in my heart that my mother would be honored to have
the opportunity to vote for Senator Obama. There are many other seniors like my
mother who are unable to vote for him tomorrow, though, for reasons beyond their
control. Let's not forget them. We stand on their shoulders -- their efforts
through the years form the foundation for the choices we have this Election
Day.
So in honor of the choice Mom would make if she could, I'm dedicating my
service as a legal monitor at the polls tomorrow to her. If there's an senior
in your life whose mental and physical disabilities keep them from voting --
What can you do to honor them on Election Day?
Midlifemuse
Visit me at Midlife's A Trip and also here at BlogHer where I'm Contributing Editor on midlife issues.
