Posted on January 7, 2018
If you would like to donate in honor of Hilton, please click here.
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 Hilton, shared by his daughter, Sheena, who is 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.
“Asbestos Took Our Breath Away!” – Hilton’s Story
Name: Hilton
Location: Louisiana
Date of Birth: September 1939
Diagnosis: Asbestosis
Date of Diagnosis: 06/18/2013
Date of Death: December 2018
How has asbestos changed your life? (Shared by Sheena, unedited)
Asbestos took our breath away! My dad, Hilton Manuel Sr., took pride in his work ethic and appearance. Dropping out of school to go into the workforce, he found employment at Morton Salt in Weeks Island, Louisiana. During his days of retirement, he was diagnosed with asbestosis but I remember the first day I realized something was wrong. As we laughed at one of his crazy jokes getting out of the car, I realized that his breath was heavy and labored. We only took a few steps from the car to the front door of the building. My life changing moment remains to be the day my dad took his last breath. For my breath is easy and light and so is his as he sleeps peacefully with his Heavenly Father.
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