South Carolina Ping
Posted on 08/12/2005 8:01:23 PM PDT by Big Steve
BY ROBERT BEHRE
Former Gov. Carroll Campbell, who has been battling Alzheimer's disease for six years, has moved from his Georgetown County home into a residential care facility.
Close friend Bob McAlister announced the news about the 65-year-old former governor who led the state from 1987 to 1994.
"Sadly, it became apparent that despite the family's best efforts, Governor Campbell must have around-the-clock professional care at a facility dedicated to that purpose," McAlister said in a statement.
"The family made that decision after many tears and much prayer. It was the most difficult decision imaginable. I do not have the words to convey their pain and anguish in reaching this decision."
Campbell's wife, Iris, has been his primary caregiver while the two lived at Debordieu, a beach community near Pawleys Island. She and her two sons, Carroll III and Mike, agreed that moving Campbell into the care facility was in his best interest, McAlister said.
"While these years have been challenging in ways that only other Alzheimer's families can understand, they have also been blessed in many ways. For example, the governor has been able to watch his grandchildren grow and they have become very close," McAlister said."Additionally, the governor was able to enjoy many tributes and honors that came his way, reinforcing the fact that his successes as governor continue to have a tremendous impact on the people of South Carolina."
McAlister declined to name the care facility out of concern for Campbell's privacy. He said the family thanks South Carolinians for their support and prayers. "They ask that they continue," he said.
Campbell grew up in Greenville and served as a congressman for eight years before becoming only the second Republican to be elected governor of South Carolina since reconstruction. His legacy not only includes strengthening the state's GOP but also luring the German automaker BMW to the Upstate and restructuring state government.
In October 2001, Campbell announced he was suffering from Alzheimer's, which brings on memory loss before eventual and incurable dementia.
Since then he has kept a limited public schedule but has avoided most public speaking.
In June 2004 his family said that he was hit especially hard by the death of former President Reagan, who was Campbell's political ally and who also suffered from Alzheimer's.
At the time, Campbell's son Mike said that his father still enjoyed playing golf and following South Carolina politics each day in the newspaper.
While Campbell occasionally surprised his family and friends with a lucid memory, his ability to find the right word or remember names had become a growing struggle.
Text of Bob McAlister's statement
Governor Campbell has bravely fought the onslaught of Alzheimer's disease for six years. His family has been a strong source of love and support for the governor during this trying period. Mrs. Campbell gladly has been the primary caregiver.
While these years have been challenging in ways that only other Alzheimer's families can understand, they have also been blessed in many ways. For example, the governor has been able to watch his grandchildren grow and they have become very close.
Additionally, the governor was able to enjoy many tributes and honors that came his way, reinforcing the fact that his successes as governor continue to have a tremendous impact on the people of South Carolina.
Sadly, it became apparent that despite the family's best efforts, Governor Campbell must have around- the-clock professional care at a facility dedicated to that purpose. The family made that decision after many tears and much prayer. It was the most difficult decision imaginable. I do not have the words to convey their pain and anguish in reaching this decision.
Iris, Carroll III and Mike believe this course of action is the best for Governor Campbell. However, they are prepared to consider other alternatives if the situation warrants.
We will not disclose the location of the facility out of concern for the governor's privacy. We ask the news media to respect this decision.
Iris, Carroll III and Mike have asked me to thank the people of South Carolina for their love, support and prayers. They ask that they continue.
wow! 1st I've heard this
I fully expect his son Mike to be elected Lieutenant-Governor next year over the erratic Andre Bauer. It's unfortunate that Gov. Campbell may be too far gone to share in that victory. Prayers for him and his family.
How sad. Prayers lifted.
It warms my heart to see those words in print. I'll support anybody that runs against this lying punk.
very young onset...
I remember very well the day it was announced that ex- Gov. Campbell had Alzheimer's. He planned to fight it and continue working. At the time I wondered if that wasn't a better approach than Pres. Reagan's retirement. I prayed that activity would slow down the disease, maybe even eliminate some of the symptoms. But it wasn't meant to be. May the Lord have mercy on him and his family.
My heart and prayers go out to his family. We were lucky to have him.
Governor Campbell would have made a great U.S. President had his health problems not interfered. Prayers to him and his family, and the best of luck to his son in his race for Lt. Gov.
She had refused to live with any of her 8 kids, so we all chipped in and paid for a very kind woman to live with her. At that point, she only needed watching, and some help with showering, etc. But she had a bout with pneumonia that necessitated use of oxygen, and the caregiver was not comfortable with that. Mama's health was beginning to fail, and she lived for aboutthree years in the nursing home. She was released from her burden and went home to God and my Daddy in July of 2004. Though we were sad for ourselves that she was gone, we were SO relieved when she died because she'd been so unhappy to be alive for years.
Ronaldus Magnus already had the terminal degree of politics, so it's not as though retirement was a CLM for him. AFAIK, only President John Quincy Adams took a political office after the Presidency (House of Representatives), but even he would have rather retired at the time. And that was before the Presidency became the quasi-imperial office it is today. When it's done right, it takes all the talent and energy that a great man can muster, and it usually leaves him "wrung out" and ready for the chicken farm afterwards.
Once upon a time, being Vice President or Secretary of State was the immediately previous career step for the Presidency. These days, it's more commonly state Governor, which allows for an apples-to-apples evaluation of how a candidate might handle executive office.
Governor Campbell could have done it. No question.
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