Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

General Discussion

Showing Original Post only (View all)

no_hypocrisy

(46,117 posts)
Sun Sep 9, 2018, 02:30 PM Sep 2018

Generally, Trump reminds me of my father when he was 92. [View all]

Example:

Dad had to have two cataracts removed, obviously one at a time. He chose to have the surgery in NYC, about 45 minutes drive from our home in NJ. His status post-op would be one eye with a cataract, one with an eye patch, and effects of anesthesia.

I offered to drive him there and back. He refused outright. I asked if he were ordering a car service. Nope. How did he intend to safely return home as he wasn't staying overnight? Taxi? No, he intended to drive to the hospital and drive back.

I outright told him he wasn't going to do that as his vision would be severely compromised, he wouldn't be alert, and he'd be attempting to drive Midtown during midday during midweek. And three major highways. There would be a great chance of an accident with injury(ies) of other cars and/or pedestrians.

While I was in the bathroom, he snuck down to the garage, got in his car, and drove to the hospital. While I wasn't going to call the Police, I did the next best thing: I called the surgeon's office and advised them not to release him as he didn't have a driver. I further advised the office if they did let him drive home and there were an accident, I'd call the victim's (victims') attorney and give the law office the surgeon's name, address, and phone # to add to the Complaint.

To my horror, the surgeon and hospital released my father and he drove home himself. How he managed NOT to hit anyone or anything still amazes me.

My point: My father was a dangerous driver even without the surgery. But short of a court order and/or an arrest, you couldn't keep him from driving. My siblings and I knew he was dangerous and felt helpless. Like Trump, out father had poor judgment and impulse control. And a mercurial temper.

Epilogue: Dad died because he rear-ended a van at a gas station, hitting his chest on the steering wheel (no airbag). He didn't tell any of us about the accident. For one week, he internally bled from a torn aorta, thus suffering a fatal heart attack.

32 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
He reminds me of my nephew when he was 4. cos dem Sep 2018 #1
+1 dalton99a Sep 2018 #3
I'm sorry to hear about your Dad leftieNanner Sep 2018 #2
Same here. If no driver, I would be forced to live in the surgery center until I found one. n/t Tess49 Sep 2018 #17
My Dad was like that, though towards the end, he finally accepted it MiniMe Sep 2018 #4
I wondered about that, too Ohiogal Sep 2018 #5
That is happening with my oldest brother. Blue_true Sep 2018 #9
He's Cartman in real life Runningdawg Sep 2018 #6
My mom with dementia. ginnyinWI Sep 2018 #7
You do know you just described Trump? True Blue American Sep 2018 #20
Yes ginnyinWI Sep 2018 #26
Yes, Narcisstic True Blue American Sep 2018 #27
Your dad sounds like an onery, tough dude who was prone to bad decisions. Blue_true Sep 2018 #8
Sounds like my father mommymarine2003 Sep 2018 #10
I sincerely hope True Blue American Sep 2018 #21
My Grandpa was a lot sharper at 89 than fornicate face ever was. 47of74 Sep 2018 #11
Taking your parent's keys away is the hardest thing a child has to do FakeNoose Sep 2018 #12
Oh, dear lord. PoindexterOglethorpe Sep 2018 #13
Sorry about yr Dad Marthe48 Sep 2018 #14
Sorry about your dad. They sneak out sometimes, onecent Sep 2018 #15
I can't believe the hospital let him drive. BigmanPigman Sep 2018 #16
Should be the rule all over True Blue American Sep 2018 #28
Good analogy. However: maddiemom Sep 2018 #18
Jesus, I wish it WEREN'T true. I still feel the outrage 4-1/2 years later. no_hypocrisy Sep 2018 #19
your specific example of needing others to help control or stop him may be similar but i assume your JI7 Sep 2018 #22
Actually my father was domineering, controlling, and authoritarian. no_hypocrisy Sep 2018 #23
oh, well, that's totally different than i thought JI7 Sep 2018 #24
Trump actually invokes PTSD with me. no_hypocrisy Sep 2018 #25
No, your father does not True Blue American Sep 2018 #31
It is hard to get True Blue American Sep 2018 #29
The blessing is that he didn't kill anyone else. roody Sep 2018 #30
Im so sorry about your father.. my dad is still alive at 93 and samnsara Sep 2018 #32
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Generally, Trump reminds ...