In an essay in the New York Times (10/23, Subscription Publication), author Joshua Kendall writes that the reasoning behind Vice President Biden’s decision not to run for president is “no surprise,” particularly since Biden’s son Beau died this past spring of brain cancer. Biden, who had to deal with grief, “lost valuable time to mount a candidacy.” Mental healthcare professionals are in agreement that “few life events are more devastating than the death of a child.” American Psychiatric Association president Renee Binder, MD, said, “It’s every parent’s worst nightmare.” Dr. Binder added, “Parents are supposed to die first. It’s a violation of the natural order.”
Related Links:
— “Parental Grief Has Often Been a Factor in Presidential Politics,” Joshua Kendall, New York Times, October 22, 2015.