My raison d'etre for writing this piece is that I believe we might re-think our assumptions, our convenient acquiescence to the 'expected' ways in which our children begin their lives and our parents end them.
Are tantrums natural, inevitable?
Should children really be suffering more and more from obesity, type-2 diabetes and depression?
Is it inevitable that poor health comes with age?
Are there other solutions to poor health than those provided by the pharmaceutical industry?
Are our diets conducive to good, long-lasting health?
Can we learn from communities in which strong family values, good health and longevity are the norm?
The questions are many and complex, with some being too difficult to answer as things stand.
Complex they may be, and difficult, but in the meantime the children of many older parents are now having to pick up some horribly difficult pieces. With a father and three aunties* all facing a painful deterioration through dementia, I feel great and unutterable sadness. Imagine millions of others feeling the same sadness, doing their best but facing terrible choices, and witnessing heartbreaking suffering in those they love best!
Can we extricate ourselves from this disaster now, or do we have to wait for ground-roots reform in every single 'institution' we rely on? Education, healthcare, elder care? All have been found desperately wanting with the spotlight of Covid-19 focussed upon them.
* one of these aunties has died since I wrote this piece.
Commentaires