O’Connor’s Husband, Afflicted With Alzheimer’s, Has New Love
Updated: Retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor visits her husband at a Phoenix Alzheimer’s facility even though he no longer remembers her and has fallen in love with another woman.
O’Connor’s son, Scott, told KPNX-Channel 12 in Phoenix that his mother was relieved her husband was happy following a painful period coping with his Alzheimer’s Disease, USA Today reports. She retired as his disease became more difficult to handle.
“For Mom to visit when he’s happy … visiting with his girlfriend, sitting on the porch swing holding hands” is a relief, he said. “Mom was thrilled that Dad was relaxed and happy and comfortable living here and wasn’t complaining.”
O’Connor’s husband, John, was also a lawyer. They met at Stanford Law School.
The TV report focused on Alzheimer’s patients who forget their spouses and fall in love with someone else, a common scenario.
The reporter who aired the story defended her decision in an interview with PoynterOnline, ABAJournal.com notes in a later post. KPNX reporter Veronica Sanchez said her goal–and that of the O’Connor family–was to raise Alzheimer’s awareness.
“The question of whether this is news or ‘too personal’ is very simple for me,” she said. “The family said they wanted to bring awareness to the reality of Alzheimer’s, that they are not alone. From the moment the camera rolled, that was our objective.”
Peter Reed, senior director of programs at the Alzheimer’s Association in Chicago, told USA Today that O’Connor is to be commended for raising awareness and reducing stigmas about the disease.
Story updated 11/16/2007 at 1:45 PM.
