Former President Jimmy Carter has been in hospice care for a year, but he’s still here. His grandson, Jason Carter, reflects on his remarkable journey:
“My grandfather was born in 1924. He didn’t have things like running water or electricity, and he spent his childhood working in the fields behind a mule.
Throughout his life, he has seen tremendous changes in the world. Yet, he has always held onto his core values: faith, respect for human dignity, equality, human rights, and the belief that we should love our neighbors as ourselves.
Almost ten years ago, he faced a serious health scare with melanoma tumors in his brain and liver. But he remained determined to keep fighting, as the old gospel song says, to ‘stay on the battlefield.’ And he has.
His entire life has been dedicated to fighting for peace, human rights, democracy, and helping those in need. He’s seen the impact of the Carter Center, which sends out teams to fight diseases, promote human rights, and support democracy.
Even after 77 years of marriage, he continued to support my grandmother until she passed away. He’s received love and support from people all over the world, with nearly 20,000 birthday wishes coming in from over 100 countries last year.
He’s witnessed how technology can bring people together but also divide us. He’s seen threats to democracy both at home and abroad. And he’s seen the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, a cause he’s deeply invested in, teeter on the edge. Despite these challenges, he remains committed to his causes.
After a year in hospice care, we don’t know what to expect for his health. But we know that his spirit remains strong.”
Jimmy Carter’s resilience and dedication to his principles continue to inspire people around the world.
