For families coping with the tragedy

My grandfather was born in Santa Clara, Cuba on March 2, 1925. He came to the US at the age of forty-six in hope of a better life. Within a year he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Unfortunately, our family had to witness my grandfather suffer the debilitating symptoms of Parkinson's disease. This neurological genetic disease slowly robs the person of dignity until it results in an early, sudden death. The drug therapy used to alleviate the effects of the disease has such severe side effects that the afflicted person often becomes unwilling to continue any life-prolonging treatment. My grandfather did not try to fight back this disease and refused to continue taking the medication, which kept him alive.

In Cuba, there was very little medical access available to the Cuban working class, which meant that for most of my grandfather's life, he did not receive adequate medical care. Coming to the US gave him opportunities to receive the medical attention he needed. Unfortunately, the doctor's diagnosis was not a pleasant thing to hear. But he was fortunate to have been in the US where he received the best care possible.

Our entire family was strong, having to struggle and suffer every step of the way with my grandfather. I personally experienced a great deal of pain just trying to be brave in front of him. I vividly remember how difficult and painful it was to cope with him and this dreadful disease. It would hurt to see him helpless and unable to even stand up on his own. From the moment I was told about my grandfather's diagnosis, I was confronted with emotions that I could not possibly bear, knowing that someday soon I would not be able to talk, joke, laugh and cry with my grandfather.

Our family worked twice as hard to make it through. From the time I was a child I would frequently accompany my grandparents to the doctor's office and to the hospital to translate since they did not speak English. Over the years I noticed how the doctors would struggle to explain that there was little they could do for my grandfather.

Everyone copes with problems in their own way. Our family was well aware of my grandfather's terminal illness. We had to prepare ourselves for just about anything that would happen to my grandfather, even the thought of him passing away. All we could do was make those last days for him the best and try to provide all the comfort he needed.