An Unwasted Life

March 2012By George J. Collins
George J. Collins was ordained a Permanent Deacon in 1978 by Terence Cardinal Cook. After serving eight years in the Archdiocese of New York, he served twenty-five in the Diocese of Palm Beach, Florida. He has been married for sixty-four years and has two daughters and five grandchildren. His website is www.deacongeorgecollins.webs.com.

Due to her seizures she developed a head-banging disorder that caused a hydrocephalic condition: Her head was quite swollen and the flesh was very soft. The seizures eventually caused her speech to become garbled to the point of being unintelligible. Her inability to communicate caused her to withdraw and become isolated from social contact with other residents and staff. She became an angry and aggressive person, causing other residents to avoid her. When she became violent, it took two or three staff members to restrain her until she calmed down.
Due to the many seizures, Myelva lost her ability to walk. When she wanted to go somewhere, she slid to the floor, rolled to where she wanted to go, and then pulled herself up. To move from room to room, she was supported by two staff or rolled in a wheelchair.
In the dining room, she refused any help to eat. Food ended up in her hair, her ears, all over her face; some eventually ended up in her mouth.

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