Former President Reagan Rarely Awake - Report

Yahoo News ^ | December 5, 2003

[RWR8189]

Former President Ronald Reagan, is now confined to a bed, rarely awake and unable to walk or talk, People magazine said in a report issued on Thursday. In an essay accompanying the article about the former president's condition, daughter Patti Davis said people may still think Reagan, 92, is somewhat mobile and active, despite his well-publicized illness, because his family has guarded his privacy so zealously.

"But it would be a disservice to every family who has an Alzheimer's victim in their embrace to say any of that is true, and I don't believe my father would want us to lie," she wrote.

The magazine said Reagan spends his days either in a bed or occasionally in a wheelchair, in a small room at his home in the exclusive Bel Air section of Los Angeles, where he is kept out of the sight of all but his closest family and helpers.

His condition has been in the spotlight again of late after CBS shelved plans to air a mini-series on his presidency that conservative groups said was biased and an unfair attack on someone who was no longer able to defend himself.

The miniseries was eventually edited into a single movie and shown on CBS's sister cable network, Showtime.

Davis, once estranged from her family, said her family's life is now arranged around Reagan's bedside, where he spends his sedentary days.

"When he is awake, which is not that often, he can gaze at the trees outside the window," Davis said.

[Az Joe]

I think that a funeral train would be a good idea. I wonder if the family has considered it. Thousands of people would drive hundreds of miles to stand by the side of the rails as he passed.

[republicanwizard]

Guys,

It seems we are all united in our admiration for President Reagan and shall cherish his memory forever. Let's not ruin the discussion by bringing individuals, ie. Mr. Clinton, who tend to pervert everything. Let's only refer to those individuals who are President Reagan's moral equals-of course, I mean President Bush, PM Thatcher, Winston Churchill, etc.

[Dansong]

As a former president Clinton has to be there - but take heart: the contrast between he and Reagan is huge, growing every day, and will be on display for all to see...it will be easy, on that sad day, to play the old Sesame Street song "One of These Things is Not Like the Others" when Slick walks in the ceremony...

[anniegetyourgun]

You can have him.

[diamondjoe]

Well, in all honesty I must admit that I've never been the biggest fan of Reagan, but as I age now (up to the ripe old age of 29!) I see that his legacy is much, much better than I was lead to believe as a young man growing up in the 1980s. Regardless, though, I wish nothing but peace for him and his family. I heard a sad anecdote about Reagan once, being visited (after his diagnosis) by George Schultz. Reagan left the room, and, when coming back, stopped Nancy and whispered about Schultz (I'm paraphrasing) "Who is that man there? I feel as though I should know him."

It is a horrible thing to watch your loved ones fade away on your watch, and I hope the Reagans find tranquility in these final stages.

[anniegetyourgun]

Me too.

[Fierce Allegiance]

He will live on.

[Churchillspirit]

Great idea. I'm sure you would not be alone along the railroad track.

[Gracey]

With the exception of the elder Bush, none are worthy.

How about President Ford? Clinton would just use the event as a photo op for himself, I'm afraid. Ugh!

I only hope that we have a Republican as President when it happens. I couldn't handle Clinton being President at Nixon's passing.

[My2Cents]

...actually, there's a story I heard told by a guide at the Reagan Library, that before the Library opened, the Reagans were being given a tour, and when President Reagan and Nancy were shown the place where both of them will be laid to rest, Pres. Reagan laid down on the grass to check it out, and said, "Yes, this will do fine." Great Gipper humor. (BTW, the burial site overlooks a broad valley with the coastline of Ventura County seen off in the distance. If I'm not mistaken, the site also looks across the valley toward the mountain range in which Reagan's beloved ranch is located.)

[leadpencil1]

[bootless]

She said someone presented President Reagan with a model of the White House. He graciously thanked the person, then later said to Nancy; "I know this building has some connection to me, but I don't remember what it is."

Oh my God, that is sad. God bless them.

[leadpencil1]

[hilaryrhymeswithrich]

Maybe not really so bad afterall. Think about the startling contrast it would present. GHWB and GWB connected to Reagan and the two-headed Clinton beast showing what the opposite side represents. I'm all for laying the truth out there for people to see. Remember that heinous DNC funeral last year........yuck.

[My2Cents]

I read a similar story by Michael Deaver in his book "A Different Drummer," about his last visit with Pres. Reagan. It was heartbreaking. I have to admit I cried in reading it, and I later wrote Mr. Deaver to tell him how much his love for his former boss touched me.

[Luke Skyfreeper]

I agree.

The eternal reward is near for a great man. Godspeed, President Ronald Reagan. You graced the Office of President, and our nation, with goodness and dignity.

[Lando Lincoln]

This has moved me more than I thought it could. May the Lord smile upon this man and his family.

Lando

[My2Cents]

Where would Jimmy Carter, and his Nobel Piss Treaty, fit into this picture?

[Indy Pendance]

[Keyes2000mt]

"Good-night, sweet prince,
And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!"-Hamlet