I had the great pleasure of interviewing Eugene-based writer Cai Emmons five times for KBOO, before she ended her life, through Oregon’s Death With Dignity program, in January 2023. Cai was diagnosed with bulbar onset ALS in early 2021, at the age of 70. It’s a debilitating disease, which takes away the power of speech before affecting the rest of the body. And, for now at least, there is no cure. Always a strong and independent woman, Cai made the decision to end her life on her own terms.
On the morning of her death, she sent the just-completed manuscript of her sixth novel, and seventh book of fiction, to her agent. That book, titled The Bells, was recently published by Red Hen Press, thanks to the efforts of those close to her, especially our guest today, Cai’s husband Paul Calandrino. Paul is a playwright, actor, and teacher, and comes to us from his home in Eugene Oregon.