Edna is an inspiration
Growing old disgracefully
A blog written by Edna’s daughter, September, 2018
I was at a barn party at the weekend. There was a band and my mother couldn’t resist dancing. What annoyed me was that so many people were amazed to see her dance with gusto. She is 90 and blind. OK you are probably amazed too now…but why?
We assume that anyone over 80 will be a ‘crock’! If that is true, we will all be in trouble in the next 20 years as the Baby Boomer generation turns 80…because there are so many of us. Will we all live up to (or down to) general expectations?
Now it simply isn’t the case that my mother has lucky genes. She is legally blind with Macular Degeneration, has spent 10 years defeating diabetes, osteoporosis and asthma and has had all the usual ‘old-age’ issues: a knee replacement, foot operation, shoulder reconstruction, arthritis, Dupuytren’s in her hands and a few odd falls with broken arms…but she has a very positive ‘can-do’ independent attitude that over-rides all of these. She also enjoys herself.
My mission is to change the assumption that we all become ‘crock’ as we age. Of course our physical body will change. My mother is not what she used to be at 40 or even 60, but she is energetic and positive and she loves a good dance! Isn’t that the message here? Let’s not decline gracefully; let us decline disgracefully and have fun! Let us keep our minds as active, positive and productive as we can.
After all, isn’t that so much better for us and for those who will need to look after us when we reach 90?
Note from the editor
We visited Edna and her daughter in December and what an inspiration she is. Edna lives in her own house. She knows where everything is, everything is kept in its place so she does not lose anything. Woe betide anyone who moves things from their place!
What was so noticeable about Edna was her positive attitude and determination to keep mentally and physically fit. Her daily housework (whether needed or not) keeps Edna physically fit and her daily crosswords (using her desktop magnifier) keep her brain sharp.
