Susan Richardson (Eight Is Enough) Sad Sad Sad

[sliderocker]

www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/31/susan-richardson-broke-eight-is-enough_n_2590146.html?icid=maing-grid7|main5|dl8|sec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D264195

I was never a fan of the show "Eight is Enough," thought of it as must-not-see-tv, but I liked actress Susan Richardson, who was in the show and was one of the cutest girls on tv for the time. Susan is 60 now and in extremely bad health (her weight has dtopped to 60 pounds), owing to diabetes and a series of strokes and has lost most of her teeth. She lives in a mobile home that is rotting away. Reading the story about Susan on Huffington Post was heartbreaking enough but reading a few of the cold hearted comments from other readers made me wish they could go through what Ms. Richardson is going through, only to have it that much worse than what she has it. And she has it pretty bad. Some of the nasty people seem to think all actors, actresses and singers are wealthy people just because they are famous or were famous once. They don't realize or refuse to believe a celebrity who was in a successful show or had a string of hit records can be financially poor.

Based on her weight and everything that's happened to her, she may be lucky if she lives out the year. Hopefully, this story will get her some kind of food and medical assistance and into a better living situation. She belongs in a hospital or assisted living center where others can help her try to regain her health and weight. Sadly, I think we'll be seeing her obituary in the not too distant future. I hope not but I fear she is past the point of no return.

[musicaamator]

Yes, I just read that last night and so sorry to read of her plight. She was my favourite Braford girl on that show. Her troubles are almost similar to Erin Moran who played Joanie on Happy Days.

[the Scribe]

Sadly, if you don't have your health you don't have much even if you have a lot. There are so many people in this country that need help. You would think that the richest country in the world would help its people more but a large segment of those in power have no empathy for others and are ruled by selfishness, greed and power hoarding.

[sliderocker]

Feb 1, 2013 11:14:27 GMT -5 the Scribe said:

Sadly, if you don't have your health you don't have much even if you have a lot. There are so many people in this country that need help. You would think that the richest country in the world would help its people more but a large segment of those in power have no empathy for others and are ruled by selfishness, greed and power hoarding.

It's not just the rich, fascist scrooges of the US who want to do nothing; there are plenty of poor conservative types who likewise feel the government's purpose is to do nothing they don't approve of. The irony of the story on Susan's story was that nowhere in the article was she asking for help, yet the more conservative types in their comments didn't hide their hatred and attacked her anyway because she was an actress, and because they think she was rich at one time. Conservatives accuse liberals of engaging in class warfare, which is ridiculous, because they are engaging in the very thing they accuse liberals of doing. Susan or anyone in poor health shouldn't have to die because they don't have health care or can't afford it.

It blows my mind when these conservative types claim to be Christians and yet don't realize their words and actions make a mockery of the one (and the Christian values) they claim to revere. If Jesus was here today, he would be tending to the ill and to the needs of the poor, and castigating those who could do more but who did little or nothing. Conservatives probably don't realize it was their type of people back in Jesus's day who were responsible for his crucifixion in the first place.

[the Scribe]

Conservatives have a love for those I just described and a contempt for the poor and those like Susan Richardson. It amazes me how they don't see that in themselves or frankly even care but then that's what sociopathy is all about, isn't it?

[Dianna]

Oh that is so sad. Poor woman.. I wonder if she has family. I know with erin moran, the fonze, henry winkler has stepped up to help her get a role on his series arrested development, at least this was the last I heard. I wonder if Ron Howard offered to help?

[sliderocker]

Feb 1, 2013 21:27:49 GMT -5 Dianna said:

Oh that is so sad. Poor woman.. I wonder if she has family. I know with erin moran, the fonze, henry winkler has stepped up to help her get a role on his series arrested development, at least this was the last I heard. I wonder if Ron Howard offered to help?

According to IMDB, Susan has a 30ish something daughter, but there was no specific info on whether her daughter lives close to her. Or if there are any other family members. Ironically, I believe it was said she lived in Pennsylvania and was herself last working in a senior citizens home, helping the elderly. Now, she's the one in need of care. I'm wondering if she's even collecting social security and disability? Or if she qualifies for some sort of assistance where she lives (still in Pennsylvania, I believe)? The government of her state ought to be able to get her some kind of housing assistance - she shouldn't have to live in a mobile home that's falling down. And unless she gets her health back - which I think is very unlikely, her days of working are over.