I’ll Fly Away Stories of Disabled Elders

Betsy Wurzel’s guest today is Dr. Marc Sapir, author of I’ll Fly
Away: Stories of Disabled Elders. In this inspiring interview, Dr.
Sapir shares why he gave his book the title I’ll Fly Away, drawn
from the 1929 song about freedom. He explains how the theme of
freedom connects deeply with the lives of elderly and disabled
individuals—social beings who deserve respect, autonomy, and
dignity.

During their conversation, Betsy and Dr. Sapir explored the PACE
model program for elderly and disabled individuals, which
recognizes them as cultural beings who should be supported in
living meaningful lives. They discussed how music plays a vital
role in bringing joy, connection, and healing, and why being
socially active is essential for well-being.Another important topic
they covered was end-of-life care.
 
Dr. Sapir stressed how crucial it is to make your wishes known
through a medical directive, ensuring that family or friends honor
those decisions—even if they might disagree. He emphasized that,
for many people, quality of life matters more than quantity.Dr.
Sapir also shared stories of individuals featured in I’ll Fly Away:
Stories of Disabled Elders, reflecting on the lessons he has
learned from his experiences. 

He spoke about how aging often brings physical and mental
challenges, but reminded us that we must always treat the elderly
with respect and dignity.The interview also touched on how
healthcare systems can better support the aging population by
recognizing their unique needs and providing programs that nurture
independence and self-worth.

 About Dr. Marc SapirDr. Marc Sapir is a retired primary care,
geriatric, and public health physician. He is also an essayist,
playwright, fiction writer, poet, musician, and political activist.
Dr. Sapir was the first Medical Director of the Center for Elders’
Independence, serving disabled elders for nine years. He also
previously worked with the United Farm Workers and was a panel
member of the Mad as Hell Doctors for Single Payer Health Care.A
graduate of Brandeis University and Stanford Medical School, Dr.
Sapir also holds a Master’s Degree in Public Health Epidemiology
from the University of California, Berkeley

.Betsy’s RecommendationBetsy Wurzel highly recommends I’ll Fly
Away: Stories of Disabled Elders. She believes it should be read by
everyone, especially those working with disabled and elderly
populations, as it provides invaluable insight into respect, care,
and dignity.

Visit Dr. Sapir’s website: http://marcsapir.net

Explore the National PACE Association programs:
https://www.npaonline.org/

Email Dr. Sapir: marcsapir@gmail.com

Purchase the book on Bookshop.org: Buy Here

“Listen to the full interview with Betsy Wurzel and Dr. Marc
Sapir, then share it with those who care about dignity and freedom
in aging. For further insight, pick up a copy of I’ll Fly Away and
explore resources from the National PACE Association.”

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