What I heard on the radio, today.

[spedbug]

A recent study shows that those who smoke are a milliondybillion* times more likely to go blind due to macular degeneration in their later years. Another reason (as if we needed another) to quit smoking - especially we who like to read.

*Okay, that wasn't the exact number but I've forgotten what it was and needed to make the point that the percentage rate was very high.

Comments

[reggiesgirl2.livejournal.com]

My father had macular degeneration and lost his central vision in his 70s. He read too and it was heartbreaking to see him lose that ability. I bought him every large print book I could find until finally he couldn't even read those.

One other thing that has bothered me since his death is the fact that I'm so dim-witted I didn't even think to offer to read to him. The last year of his life he just sat in his rocking chair and rocked.

He smoked, from the time he was in his early teens until he died at age 80, even after they removed half of one lung because of cancer.

Addiction sucks.

[antof9.livejournal.com]

{{{{{{{ReggiesGirl}}}}}}}

I'm sure he loved that you got him large print books. That had to have meant a lot that you even bothered. Many wouldn't.

Hugs to you

[spedbug.livejournal.com]

What Ant said.

And, just because you might not have considered this, either -some people don't like being read to. If they can't read it, themselves, they lose interest in books. An aunt of mine was that way - when her eyesight got so bad she couldn't read, even with glasses on, she poo-poohed the idea of books on tape because the "joy of reading is sitting down with a good book".

She used to sit out on the porch swing most days and just contemplate life .. and, until she had a massive stroke, she was happy with her life.

{{{{{ReggiesGirl}}}}, he knew you loved him.