Darío Lopérfido, the former Secretary of Culture in Argentina, passed away at the age of 61. In a poignant column published in December, he spoke candidly about his diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), which he revealed publicly mid-year. Lopérfido described the profound physical transformations he experienced under the disease, which he said altered his identity and lifestyle. He expressed how ALS had taken away his ability to engage in social activities and his fondness for physical pleasures, instead transforming his body into a prison as he approached death.

In his reflections, Lopérfido opened up about the heavy emotional toll that his condition had on him and his family. He worried that his five-year-old son would only remember him as someone who was sick, lamenting the loss of the vibrant and engaging father he used to be. He also touched upon the topic of euthanasia, considering it as a possible option as his quality of life declined. Lopérfido's raw honesty about his struggles with ALS resonated in the cultural landscape of Argentina, highlighting the societal conversations around the disease and its effects on both patients and their families.

Through his writing, Lopérfido aimed to maintain his intellectual engagement with the world, dedicating himself to reading, writing, listening to music, and watching films—activities that remained possible even as his physical abilities diminished. His reflections serve as a powerful reminder of the struggles faced by those living with ALS and the emotional complexities of terminal illness, adding a deeply personal narrative to the broader discourse surrounding health, memory, and the legacy one leaves behind.