U.S. National Institutes of Health

Special Exits: A Graphic Memoir, Joyce Farmer, 2010

Courtesy National Library of Medicine

Special Exits is based on author and artist Joyce Farmer’s experiences taking care of her aging parents in their last days. The graphic memoir tells the story of an elderly couple, Lars and Rachel, who live on their own in South Los Angeles. The couple tries to maintain their independence as their health declines, but this proves increasingly difficult, especially when they are stuck inside their home during the 1992 riots. Their daughter, Laura, steps in to help as much as she can, performing household chores, helping her parents with personal hygiene, and eventually becoming their caretaker as they move closer to death.

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