An Interview with Lynn for Caring Today magazine
Posted: April 25, 2008 | News Bites Home

Lynn was recently interviewed by Marc Lichter for Caring Today magazine, a publication for caregivers.

"Caring Today: Why is the storyline about Grandpa Jim's stroke so important to you?
Lynn Johnston: My mother-in-law actually suffered the stroke, and we were there when it happened. It was what she most feared. She'd said, "I don't want to be a burden to anyone, I don't want to be half there."

It was amazing to see. She simply looked at us with a strange expression and started to crumple. A friend sat her down. She looked at us-yet, she wasn't looking at us. We called the ambulance to take her to the hospital. Her stroke was sudden yet so gentle.

I wanted to show that it affected the whole family. It had involved everyone in the room that day and continued to involve everyone. Because the grandfather in the strip is in his eighties and had smoked and had had a rich life, perhaps that's what happened to him. I wanted to explore it because I'd experienced it."

You can read the full interview on their website.