Ajay, an Indian American engineer (name changed for privacy), has called the United States home for over 35 years. His 90-year-old mother, however, lives alone in Mumbai, cared for by a full-time nurse and domestic staff. In the past, she would visit and stay with him, but as she grew older and her health became more fragile, she chose to remain in India full-time. This choice, while practical for her comfort and continuity of care, has brought its own set of challenges for Ajay. Like many others in the diaspora, he now finds himself deeply involved in coordinating his elderly parents’ healthcare and daily needs from afar—a responsibility that brings emotional, logistical, and financial challenges.

Joe Heller was the editorial cartoonist for the Green Bay Press-Gazette in Green Bay, Wis., from 1985 until being laid off in July 2013. He still draws several cartoons a week and distributes them through his own syndicate. Through Heller Syndication, his cartoons regularly appear in more than 400 newspapers, making him the most successful self-syndicated editorial cartoonist in the nation. His cartoons are reprinted many times in USA Today, Denver Post, St. Paul Pioneer Press, The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, Newsweek Japan, The Week and The Washington Post. Joe’s cartoons have won numerous distinctions, including 10 Best of Gannett awards, eight Milwaukee Press Club awards and two Honorable mentions for the John Fischetti Award. He lives in Green Bay with his wife, Pamela. He is a regular featured cartoonist for the NKyTribune.