For those of you who have known me and followed me over these last 4 years there has been one continuing theme. My Mom with deteriorating symptoms of Parkinson's Disease and me with furtive attempts to use electronics and technology to ameliorate her situation. In addition to countless little twists and hacks to everyday items, we had modified her chair so that it wouldn't over extend, built a pain creme dispenser, designed a power straw to let her drink when she was too weak to draw water up a straw, she had the only remote assistance call button in the home attached to her wheel chair, her call light was modified so it was visible to her in bed, and just as many attempts that were failures. She kept me thinking and inspired. She was also engaged with the electronics and always wanted me to bring and explain my latest projects. We often looked at the E14 forum and she came to know my many friends here.
Last week her condition had finally worsened so that she was not able to eat or drink without choking. So many things had been taken from her by the disease that she finally just gave up. Monday night I stayed with her as she was having great difficulty breathing. In the morning I stepped away and returned home and before I could return she was gone. My beautiful, precious, muse was gone and all I could see was the image from just a few days earlier of her sitting in the wheel chair looking at me with her bright blue eyes, her smile still visible through the face robbed of the ability to emote, and trying feebly to wave goodbye to me for the day.
I am sorry to throw my sadness in front of you. I may be quiet for a while.
John
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