Yesterday, one of my heros, Rosalynn Carter, age 90, had surgery at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta to remove scar tisue from her small intestine. All indications are that she is doing well although the surgery appears to have been somewhat more extensive than first reported. Her husband of 70+ years said that he was “deathy afraid” before receiving good news on Monday. More details are avaiable online, especially at www.ajc.com
Rosalynn Carter rarely gets credit for her groundbreaking work on mental illness which resulted in major reform legeslation in 1980. While probably not as famous as first ladys’ Eleanor Roosevelt, Jackie Kennedy and Hillary Clinton, Carter was (and is) a determined activist. She was widely derided during the Carter years for having the gall to attend some cabinet meetings. Carter also did an awful lot to reduce the stigma of mental illness. I know. Her example was one factor to cause me to seek treatment for depression several years ago. Carter has also authored several books, some about promoting mental health.
Get well Rosalynn! We need your activism and wisdom more than ever! If you are so moved, drop her a get well card simply addressed to Rosalynn Carter, Plains, GA, 31780. She will get it and will appreciate it. And the good folks in Plains will not be burdened or overwhelmed. They also love visitors to Plains. I always try to go during the Peanut Festival, held the third weekend of every September.