The summer of love, pain, tragedy, and faith for Scott and Susie Plakon

State Rep. Scott Plakon and his wife Susie are living through a summer of love, pain, tragedy, faith, and struggle as they deal with her deteriorating health and the compounding effects of a horrible car crash.

The Republican lawmaker from House District 29 posted an update on Facebook this morning that details what had been their relatively private torment: Susie Plakon’s descent into the throes of Alzheimer’s Disease, and the apparent acceleration of that condition brought on by a July 1 car crash that put them both in the hospital this summer.

Still recovering from that crash but at home, Susie Plakon, 55, apparently had a seizure Wednesday, fell, hit her head, and suffered internal bleeding in the brain. She was taken first to South Seminole Hospital for stabilization, then to Orlando Regional Medical Center for more extensive medical care, he explained on Facebook.

Scott Plakon, 57, of Longwood, is seeking re-election in HD 29, unchallenged in the primary but with Democratic nominee Fred Marra awaiting in the general election. But he has largely been AWOL from actual campaigning for months to be with her, and to keep his business running. While friends and a few associates have been aware of their plight for a while, he spread the news farther with today’s social media post, expressing his deep love and faith, and the pain and tragedy of the linked events.

“For those friends that are still not aware, Susie was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in late 2014,” he wrote. “It was generally mild and progressing very slowly. In fact, just a few days before the accident, she attended a political event and worked at our campaign table. I told a few people at that event about her diagnosis and they were surprised because they did not notice it.

“Then on July 1st, a driver ran a red light and hit us at full speed. In the following days and since then, Susie has been exhibiting a number of later-stage Alzheimer’s symptoms. Since then, she’s needed someone to be with her 24/7. Thank God, we have a number of family members and friends that have been stopping by to spend time with her.”

Plakon, whose deep Christian faith has always defined him and his politics, asked for prayer.

“Susie is the most loving and kind person I’ve ever known … and I get to be married to her … for 31 years now,” he wrote. “I’m blessed to actually say that I love my wife and amazing mother to our six children more than the day I married her.”