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Mayor Rob Ford: Uncontrollable: How I Tried To Help The World S Most Notorious Mayor

James Hayes

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Rob Ford, the former mayor of Toronto, was a controversial figure. He was known for his outspoken personality, his love of football, and his battles with addiction. In 2013, I was hired as his communications director. It was a challenging job, but it gave me a unique insight into the life of a man who was both loved and hated by the people of Toronto.

The Early Days

When I first started working for Mayor Ford, he was at the height of his popularity. He had just been re-elected to a second term, and he was seen as a champion of the common people. He was a regular at local sporting events, and he was always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need.

However, behind the scenes, Mayor Ford was struggling with addiction. He was drinking heavily, and he was using crack cocaine. His behavior was becoming increasingly erratic, and it was clear that he needed help.

Mayor Rob Ford: Uncontrollable: How I Tried to Help the World's Most Notorious Mayor

by Charles W. Sweeney

4 out of 5

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I tried to help Mayor Ford in any way that I could. I arranged for him to meet with addiction counselors, and I tried to encourage him to seek treatment. However, he was resistant to getting help. He didn't want to admit that he had a problem, and he didn't want to give up his lifestyle.

The Downward Spiral

As Mayor Ford's addiction worsened, his behavior became more and more erratic. He made offensive comments, he engaged in drunken brawls, and he even smoked crack cocaine in front of his staff.

The public was outraged, and Mayor Ford's approval ratings plummeted. He became a national laughingstock, and he was ridiculed by the media.

I tried to stick by Mayor Ford during this difficult time. I believed that he was a good man who had made some bad choices. However, it became increasingly difficult to defend him as his behavior became more and more outrageous.

The Intervention

In November 2013, Mayor Ford's family and friends staged an intervention. They confronted him about his addiction, and they urged him to get help.

Mayor Ford agreed to enter rehab, and he spent several weeks in treatment. When he returned, he seemed like a changed man. He was sober, he was clean, and he was determined to turn his life around.

I was hopeful that Mayor Ford would be able to stay sober and rebuild his life. However, within a few months, he was back to his old ways. He was drinking again, and he was using crack cocaine again.

The Final Days

In April 2014, Mayor Ford was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. He underwent surgery, but the cancer had spread too far.

Mayor Ford died on March 22, 2016, at the age of 46.

My Reflections

I worked for Mayor Ford for two years, and I saw him at his best and at his worst. He was a complex and contradictory figure. He was a populist who appealed to the common people, but he was also a bully who could be cruel to those who crossed him.

He was a man who was both loved and hated, and he will be remembered long after he is gone.

I tried my best to help Mayor Ford, but I ultimately failed. He was a man who was determined to self-destruct, and there was nothing I could do to stop him.

However, I learned a lot from my experience working for Mayor Ford. I learned about the dangers of addiction, and I learned about the importance of compassion.

I also learned that it is possible to love someone even when you don't agree with their choices. Mayor Ford was a flawed man, but he was also a human being. He deserved to be treated with dignity and respect, even when he was at his worst.

Mayor Rob Ford: Uncontrollable: How I Tried to Help the World's Most Notorious Mayor

by Charles W. Sweeney

4 out of 5