AFRICA
H.W. Bush Facing More Health Issues
A tweet by post-White House spokesman Jim McGrath on May 27th revealed that former Republican president George H.W. Bush had been hospitalized for low blood pressure and fatigue only one day after attending a pancake breakfast for US veterans held in Maine.
On Sunday, the 41st American president was taken to the Southern Maine Health Centre, where he stayed for several days. Although Bush had left for Maine less than one month ago for his yearly vacation, these unfortunate and unexpected circumstances interrupted his Memorial Day weekend plans. Luckily, he remains in the company of family members such as son Jeb Bush, who tweeted a photo of his father in Maine less than a week before the onset of these medical complications.
Only one day following his wife Barbara’s funeral, Bush had been admitted to a hospital in Houston for infection and was released on May 4th. He had clearly been very devoted to Barbara while she was still alive, as shown by a love letter from the Second World War read aloud to the public.
Their passionate and enduring love life of 73 years was recognized and celebrated by much of America. Barbara was especially loved for her contributions to American literacy and efforts to combat homelessness.
Sadly enough, George H.W. Bush’s new health complications may have arisen as a result of “broken heart syndrome” in the wake of his wife’s death, which Jeb Bush suggested. Grief may sometimes weaken a person’s heart or increase his or her stress levels, leading to a lowered immune response. This may account for the amplified response to minor health problems such as the infection that eventually spread to his bloodstream. Bush also suffers from vascular Parkinsonism, which can cause difficulty in walking and maintaining balance.
George H.W. Bush is currently the country’s longest-living former president at 93 years old (he is also longest-lived president in American history). He first gained authority in the White House as vice president for Reagan.
Later, as president, Bush reaffirmed his political prominence through foreign policy. He came into power in the midst of German reunification as well as the collapse of the Soviet Union. Bush also played a crucial role in the withdrawal of Iraqi forces from Kuwait during the Persian Gulf War in the early 1990s.
As father to the 43rd president George W. Bush as well as to politician and former Florida governor Jeb Bush, George H.W. Bush created an unprecedented political legacy. He and his son George W. Bush were only the second father-and-son pair to ascend to presidency, following John Adams and John Quincy Adams. Although both Bushes became quite unpopular due to nationwide economic recessions during their presidential terms, they certainly reshaped American foreign policy and made lasting changes to the American presence in global politics.
Luckily, George H.W. Bush now remains in stable condition and in good care. Although he missed the Memorial Day parade in Kennebunkport, Maine, he is no longer experiencing any discomfort. His presence on Twitter even following his hospital admittance seems to indicate that the former president is doing fine and is in good spirits.
Even in the absence of his wife Barbara, he shares the company of his family members and loved ones. The Bushes celebrated the birth of a new baby fathered by another one of Barbara’s and George’s sons, Neil Bush, just two days after Barbara’s passing.
Featured Image via: Flickr/Hub City Writers Project