Let this be a lesson in family values
Bravo to Kane County State's Attorney John Barsanti for his valiant efforts to pursue justice in the shamefully sad and tragically premature death of 84-year-old Mary Barry, who died while utterly dependent upon her two middle-aged daughters for care. This case must demand justice for Mary Barry's sake, while setting clear ethical and legal responsibilities for caregivers - particularly those who benefit from their charge's finances and resources.
From personal experience, I know firsthand the tremendous responsibility of caring for a parent who can no longer care for herself because of severe health issues. Without any assistance from siblings, the benefit of free housing or use of a parent's financial resources that Mary Barry's two daughters had, I managed to single-handedly care for my mother after she had a series of debilitating strokes.
Despite the fact I needed to work two part-time jobs to support my mother and myself so I would still be able to meet her personal and physical needs, my mother never had a single bed sore. She was given the dignity all souls deserve. There were many difficult days, but never did my mother suffer physically or emotionally because of the extensive effort required to care for her.
As a former caregiver, I find it inconceivable that both of Barry's daughters repeatedly failed to notice bed sores so extensive they spread clear to the bone. Caring for a disabled person necessitates constant vigilance in the normal course of daily hygiene and personal care. Just as in caring for a defenseless infant, caregivers of the disabled cannot help but observe physical and emotional changes during bathing, clothing, sheet changing, and feeding regimens.
Indeed, it is a tremendous responsibility, which should either be a labor of love or, as a last resort, one delegated to qualified professionals.
For Mary Barry's last days to be tormented as she lay saturated in feces and urine on a bed infested with ants, her daughters had to have been far worse than merely negligent.
It's time people realized "family values" don't only apply to our children's care and well-being.
Geraldine Zaha
St. Charles