Posted on January 25, 2017
We have been touched by asbestos in individual ways, yet we are joined together by a bond of community. As a testament to the strength of our global family, the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) is highlighting the courageous stories of our members with the “Share Your Story” feature on our website.
This week, we would like to honor the story of Richard, as shared by his daughter Melanie, who is a part of our ADAO family.
We encourage you to submit your personal stories by clicking here and following the simple instructions on the page. In sharing, comes healing. Remember, you are not alone.
“Our Beloved Father Robbed From Us” – Richard‘s Story
Name: Richard
Location: Kentucky
Date of Birth: 1948
Diagnosis: Mesothelioma
Date of Diagnosis: 1992
Treatment: Chemotherapy
Date of Death: 1993
How has asbestos changed your life? (as shared by his daughter, Melanie, unedited)
My father was a hard-working man who provided for his family. In doing so, he was unknowingly and continually exposed to asbestos in the paper mill in which he worked. He was diagnosed when I was just 13 years-old. He died the following year. His struggle is the story of so many. I am left with only a child’s perception of her father, and my precious memories. My father never saw me graduate high school. He didn’t see his daughters earn college degrees. He never saw his son become an accomplished business man. My father never held a grandchild, nor did he ever walk his daughters down the isle. He never saw his family crumble to pieces in the wake of his death. His life was robbed from him, and our beloved father robbed from us. Asbestos hasn’t impacted my life in one way, rather it has impacted my life in every way. No aspect of my life has been left unchanged from this terrible carcinogen.
* * *