I’ll never forget the day that I was told I would have to have a mastectomy. My reaction to the words was total denial.
BETTY FORDI’ll never forget the day that I was told I would have to have a mastectomy. My reaction to the words was total denial.
BETTY FORDFor 14 years, I’d been on medication for the pinched nerve, the arthritis, the muscle spasms in my neck, and I’d lost my tolerance for pills. If I had a single drink, the alcohol, on top of the pills, would make me groggy.
BETTY FORDI think once I made up my mind that I was allergic to alcohol, and that’s what I learned, it made sense to me. And I think it was kind of pointed out that you know if you were allergic to strawberries, you wouldn’t eat strawberries. And that made sense to me.
BETTY FORDI feel it’s important to be active. People who retire, sit by their swimming pool and golf course and plan to relax have a very empty life.
BETTY FORDThat’s what we’re here on this Earth for, to help others.
BETTY FORDI know I was an alcoholic because I was preoccupied whether alcohol was going to be served or not.
BETTY FORDWe’re full all the time. And people do have good success and I think one of the programs at the center, the Continuing Care, helps them with their success. Because it’s difficult the first year.
BETTY FORDAny woman should have the right to a safe and legal abortion.
BETTY FORDWhen I say we’ve had an ideal marriage, I’m not just talking about physical attraction, which I can imagine can wear pretty thin if it’s all a couple has built on. We’ve had that and a whole lot more.
BETTY FORDHaving babies is a blessing, not a duty.
BETTY FORDThe search for human freedom can never be complete without freedom for women.
BETTY FORDI had thought I would hate being First Lady… I loved it.
BETTY FORDYou can make it, but it’s easier if you don’t have to do it alone.
BETTY FORDAnd I have always told the patients when I talk to them. When they come around and say, “What will you have to drink? Oh that’s right you don’t drink.” Just speak up and say, ‘Of course I drink. But I just don’t drink alcohol.’
BETTY FORDYou never know what you can do until you have to do it.
BETTY FORDThe problem with drugs is that people forget to stop doing them. There’s a time and a place for everything, Mr. Mackey, and it’s called college.
BETTY FORD