Carlos Abarca has always visited his wife regularly, and now that he has retired from the national police force, he is able to come three times a day. He says that caring for her is his whole life.Posted on 02/18/2009 3:33:47 PM PST by wagglebee
SANTIAGO, February 18, 2009 (LifeSitenNews.com) - In a story that stands in stark contrast to the Eluana Englaro and Terri Schiavo cases in Italy and the United States, a Chilean man has been visiting his comatose wife for 17 years, and says he won't give up on her.
Carlos Abarca has always visited his wife regularly, and now that he has retired from the national police force, he is able to come three times a day. He says that caring for her is his whole life.
"My affection will always be focused on her, I have never doubted it," he told the Chilean daily El Mercurio, which broke the story. "I don't seek for more from life than caring for her. There is nothing more to do."
The affection he has for his wife, says Abarca, is "stronger than ever. I want to protect her, care for her, make sure she is well, that she lacks nothing."
Erika Sotelo has been in a coma since 1995, when the anesthesia given to her for a hysterectomy caused her heart to stop beating. By the time doctors revived her, Sotelo's brain had suffered damage due to oxygen deprivation. She has never recovered complete consciousness.
However, her husband has never lost hope in her, and recognizes signs of awareness in his wife, despite doctors' claims that she is in a "vegetative state."
Abarca says that he knows his wife can hear, noting that she stirs when spoken to.
"Sometimes when one speaks to her in her ear she begins to cry, so I have better reason to believe that she can hear. Sure, the doctors always contradict it, but I believe that it is to prevent one from hoping, so that one doesn't delude one's self, but I know better than everyone."
Abarca says he will continue to love his wife, "until God has the last word. In the end, if tomorrow she must go, our conscience will be clear." However, he adds, he is not ready for that yet.
"Many people say, 'you're accustomed to this,' but no, day by day it's different and one can't become accustomed to it. I'm not ready for her to leave."
Latin American news sources reporting on the case have noted the stark difference between Abarca's attitude of patience and commitment, and that of the father of Eluana Englaro, an Italian who recently dehydrated his daughter to death after she fell into a minimally conscious state following a car accident in 1992.
Similarly, Terri Schiavo was starved and dehydrated to death in the United States in 2005 by her husband Michael, who had begun to live with another woman and had obtained a substantial damage award in a malpractice suit related to his wife's case. Schiavo's parents and brother and sister, however, fought to the end for her life, but in the end custody was given over to her husband, who issued the order for the death by dehydration.
Wonderfully stated! I am sure that God has a special love for these husbands — as well as those in families who are betrayed by the murderss of their loved one who seem unable to speak for themselves.
Why isn’t this kind of love more common? Are most people incapable of true love?
May God reward this man for his loving devotion to his wife and the sacrament of marriage, and for what a wonderful witness he is. I pray for him to have some reward in this life (his wife waking) even though it will be greater in the next.
Every life is precious to God and must be protected. True love never dies. I pray for this couple and admire his courage and devotion to his wife.
This is a true sacramental marriage. We should all be so lucky to have such a good spouse.
Yes, most are incapable. Perhaps most are lacking in even the most basic capacity for human affection.
It’s probably a reporting error.
Note that this story isn’t in the MSM. They are not interested in stories of those who cherish life. Furthermore, people are becoming incapble of true love because of their pride and selfishness. It is growing worse in these last days....just as it was foretold. (Matt. 24:12).
Their reward will be great in heaven.
Hooray for the Husband!
This man is a Saint
This good man is the very definition of true love.
Such a beautiful story and a great testament to everlasting love.
Some people actually understand, and honor, their vows.
Beautiful story. Truly a story that should be at the head of the press, shockingly, I haven’t heard a thing about it. Heavens knows the left-wing press wouldn’t want to take away from Obama’s newstime.
Prayers for a great man!
What a wonderful man. Thank you for posting good news too - it’s hard to find sometimes among the bad stuff. There are good people in the world and he is one!
What a beautiful thought, it brought tears to my eyes.
:)
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