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.

[So Cal Rocket]

From Reagan's farewell speech in the Oval Office:

"And that's about all I have to say tonight, except for one thing. The past few days when I've been at that window upstairs, I've thought a bit of the `shining city upon a hill.' The phrase comes from John Winthrop, who wrote it to describe the America he imagined. What he imagined was important because he was an early Pilgrim, an early freedom man. He journeyed here on what today we'd call a little wooden boat; and like the other Pilgrims, he was looking for a home that would be free. I've spoken of the shining city all my political life, but I don't know if I ever quite communicated what I saw when I said it. But in my mind it was a tall, proud city built on rocks stronger than oceans, windswept, God-blessed, and teeming with people of all kinds living in harmony and peace; a city with free ports that hummed with commerce and creativity. And if there had to be city walls, the walls had doors and the doors were open to anyone with the will and the heart to get here. That's how I saw it, and see it still.

And how stands the city on this winter night? More prosperous, more secure, and happier than it was 8 years ago. But more than that: After 200 years, two centuries, she still stands strong and true on the granite ridge, and her glow has held steady no matter what storm. And she's still a beacon, still a magnet for all who must have freedom, for all the pilgrims from all the lost places who are hurtling through the darkness, toward home.

We've done our part. And as I walk off into the city streets, a final word to the men and women of the Reagan revolution, the men and women across America who for 8 years did the work that brought America back. My friends: We did it. We weren't just marking time. We made a difference. We made the city stronger, we made the city freer, and we left her in good hands. All in all, not bad, not bad at all.

And so, goodbye, God bless you, and God bless the United States of America."

[Frank_Discussion]

I can imagine the Ankle saying such a thing.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

I think that's exactly what it will do. Look at their nitpicky response to President Bush's visit to the troops in Iraq, and contrast it with what most people thought of the trip. They think their negative, hate-filled criticism of every conservative plays well across America? It doesn't now, and it won't then.

I have no doubt people on the left will reveal the decay of their souls when we lose Reagan. We already had one on this very thread. It's ugly.

[Reagan Disciple]

I already told everyone at work that if the stock market does not close for his funeral (which it will), I will not be coming into work that day.

As much as I know of its inevitability, I dread that day.

God bless the man.

[republicanwizard]

Oh give me a break. I have faith in President Bush as I do in all honorable and decent men.

[anniegetyourgun]

Worse yet, Clinton would probably bring his so-called wife. She would, after all, demand the photo-op for political purposes.

[hapc]

Whose woods these are I think I know, his house is in the village though. He will not see me stopping here to watch his wood fill up with snow.

My little horse may think it queer, to stop without a farmhouse near. Between the woods and frozen lake, the darkest night of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake, to ask if there is some mistake. The only other sound's the sweep, of easy wind and snowy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep, but I have promises to keep. And miles to go before I sleep. And miles to go before I sleep.'

[Lovergirl]

This Thanksgiving my future motherinlaw passed away. She had Altzheimers for the past 5 years. They say she had a stroke and that's what took her. It was a very sad Thanksgiving evening. She died Friday night. It's been a tough couple of weeks. God bless the Reagans.

[JackDanielsOldNo7]

I can't even imagine Hillary Clinton or Jesse Jackson saying something so vile.

Not in public anyway.

[MamaB]

You know, that is true. My mother will be 100 in April and she is still as sharp as a tack. Her hearing and sight may not be as good as it once was, but she is a very special Christian lady.

[JimVT]

If Scumbag Clinton has the audacity to go to RR's funeral...I'll wager he will keep a stone face on...unlike at Sec. Brown's funeral where he was chuckling away til he spotted a camera and then immediately starting wiping his eyes.

What a crock!

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

I'm not quick to put anyone on the list President Reagan is on. GWB has done pretty well so far on most things. But the jury's still out. I think it takes about fifteen years before you can begin to be sure that a President was worth electing.

My comment (which probably sounded the way you received it, because I should have included context) was in reference to whether he is worthy to be in attendance at Reagan's funeral when the time comes. I think the debate over whether GWB was worth electing (and I would strongly argue that he was) is probably best saved for another thread. I hope you agree.

[My2Cents]

Life isn't fair, as my parents always told me. But this breaks my heart. Ronald Reagan, for all that he did for this nation and for the world, should be enjoying his golden years in full awareness of the respect and love people have for him. As another poster suggests, a different "reward" awaits Bill Clinton.

[rintense]

God bless him. My grandmother suffered the same fate. All I can say is that if this report is true, Ronnie will be with the Gipper soon.

[Smogger]

My grandmother died from Alzheimers last night. The last stage is of course death. Judging from the description of President Reagan's condition he is in the final stages of Alzheimer's. He likely only months or weeks left.

[Guenevere]

#6...My mother has Alzheimers...
...Dad is dying a slow death.....

..they've been married 56 years, and no one can know the agony of watching your spouse daily deteriorate....

...unless you've gone through it.

[MamaB]

I am so sorry about your loss and at a holiday season, too. Those seem to hurt the most. May God Bless.

[Az Joe]

"I've got to go, Rock. It's alright. I'm not afraid. Some time, Rock, when the team is up against it, when things are wrong and the breaks are beating the boys, tell them to go in there with all they've got and win just one for the Gipper. I don't know where I'll be then, Rock, but I'll know about it, and I'll be happy."

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

May the gentle hand of God comfort the Reagan family and all those who love him.

Amen.

[Inspectorette]

These photos of this wonderful man bring tears to my eyes. I was privileged to vote for him for President in 1980 and 1984.

He was the greatest president of the 20th century. Somehow I think his indomitable spirit is living on in President Bush. Both of them have been so cruelly and unfairly vilified by the haters of the world, yet both of them have always managed to look joyful and bring joy and pride to us as Americans.