The Doc Project·PERSONAL ESSAY

Lather, rinse, repeat: The day I stepped up as a son

When he was 21, Graham Isador sat in a hospital room with his wheelchair-bound mother and his comatose dad. That day his role as a son changed forever.
The writer's parents on their wedding day

This story first aired in 2017. To see the original post, click here


When Graham Isador was 21, his dad suffered a heart attack. But it wasn't Graham's dad who needed his help — it was his mom.

Graham's mother had recently broken her leg, and unaccustomed to using a wheelchair, needed help with things she didn't usually need help with. 

While they sat together at his dad's hospital bed, Graham's mom said to his comatose father, "I know it's silly, but I wish I could be beautiful for you right now. I don't even have clean hair."

In a moment of simple, kind clarity, Graham did the only thing he could think of to help: he offered to wash his mother's hair. A small gesture. At the right time. 

Click LISTEN above to hear Graham's story.

About the contributor  
(Submitted)

Graham Isador is a freelance writer and photographer based out of Toronto. His work has appeared at VICE, Men's Health, and GQ.