Stories of 4 Human Being - They Are Differently Old By Their Intentions

When Age is just a number
Photo by Rachel on Unsplash

Age is just a number


I am sure and I know that there are many old Men and Women feels age is just a number and live their life as they were in their young age, mentally, and yes physically there are marks of the time they passed. It is the law of nature.

In the JAMA research study Feeling Old vs Being OldAssociations Between Self-perceived Age and Mortality -   it was found that older people typically feel younger than their chronological age, and it is thought those who feel younger than their actual age have reduced mortality. To confirm this relationship the study was conducted in a large representative population sample, and to understand the role of existing health problems, poor physical function, depression, socio-demographic factors, social isolation, impaired cognitive function and health behaviors in explaining the association.
The results proclaim that

The mechanisms underlying these associations merit further investigation. Possibilities include a broader set of health behaviors than we measured (such as maintaining a healthy weight and adherence to medical advice), and greater resilience, sense of mastery, and will to live among those who feel younger than their age. Self-perceived age has the potential to change, so interventions may be possible. Individuals who feel older than their actual age could be targeted with health messages promoting positive health behaviors and attitudes toward aging.

There are more studies, on the subject. available all over the world. In the last couple of weeks the stories of four individuals are shared many times on the social network and people talk about them. They make a renewed sensation around the social network.
Come let us see them.

109-year old Helen Self


Helen recently celebrated her birthday, which was reported by The Washington Post, in the restaurant of Montana Club.
Helen Self at her birthday dinner
Helen Self at her birthday dinner on Aug 17, 2018 - P C : The Washington Post
It is learn that Helen started going to Montana Club since she was 99. Since then she celebrated her every birthday there. The Club offered a discount equal percentage of her age. Yes it was 109 percent discount meaning the restaurant actually paid her to eat there.

Nick Alonzo, the owner of the restaurant handed over the dollar and change. In return Self gave a kiss on his cheek. And she told smilingly,
I will comeback next year. Don't tell his (Nick's) wife I kissed him.
Alonzo recalled when she paid second time when she turned 100 years. Self got 100 percent discount.
The Washington Post reports at that time Alonzo laughed with her and told her
Next year I am going to have to start paying you !
And since then exactly that is happening.  

Shirley Gunter, 86 , daughter of Helen said that Helen has been a widow for 18 years and had two children but one of them had died before she turned 100 years. She has seven grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren, with another expected shortly.
Self weighs 110 pounds, is in excellent health except some hearing loss. Very rarely she uses wheelchair and refuses a cane. Gunter says when her mother walks she holds onto whoever is next to her. 
Gunter confirms that her mother doesn't take any medicine and that her doctor says,
She only come in here once a year to let me know she's alive !.

In a phone call with The Washington Post, Helen said she attributes her longevity to not overeating and to her laid-back approach to life.
Her message is
Take life as it comes and don’t get too excited about anything,  
This, too, shall pass. If you’re upset, just get down and scrub the floor

99-year old Luther Younger


Luther is from Rochester, New York, walks 6 miles round-trip everyday to visit his ailing wife  in the hospital. His story was first reported Spectrum News Rochester in August 2018, since then it gain widespread media attention.

Luther's wife Waverlee is paralyzed and has suffered from brain cancer since 2009.
Younger a Korean War Veteran is said to walk everywhere, according to his family members.
Everyday he slings his backpack over his shoulder and walks to the hospital and sometime in the journey he starts running to reduce the trek time.

Lutheta, daughter of the couple told in an interview with CBS News that both her parents remained extremely strong. Over the past nine years, Waverlee has been in and out of the hospital, sometimes for months at a time. Luther stayed by her side, walking to the hospital to visit everyday and often sleeping there, sometimes on the floor.          
  

True lasting love does exist


Luther reportedly told that while visiting hospital he could have take a ride from her daughter or some neighbors or from a friend, and or take the bus to hospital, but he doesn't want to. Rather he says
I got a wife. I don't want to wait on the bus. I want to go up there to see my wife.
His daily walk is not about proving himself as strong, rather he reiterated that he likes to walk because it clears his mind and he says he's always done hard labor for work. Now it is about proving his love for Waverlee.
She is a beautiful lady and she treats me as a person is supposed to be ... she made a man out of me. That's why I love her, because she's tough. She's not weak ... That's the kind of woman I want            

Six miles everyday round-trip walk is not easy for many people half of his age. But when a person have walked through life with someone for over 55 years, what's another six miles. Everyday after seeing off Waverlee, Luther becomes sad, but that makes him stronger for next day, rain or shine, he will be walking to see his love again.       
         
The 3:25 m .video shows his life is committed and personified to love.


91-year old Ye Lianping


Ye has been a teacher for 40 years.  He has devoted his life to teaching in East China's Anhui province. He is still teaching after his retirement  offers free tutoring for last 16 years.

Ye Lianping in the class room
Ye Lianping

Ye Lianping volunteers to help students learn English. The local government helped renovate a storage area into two rooms where students can finish homework, read books and play chess.
Ye said many rural children live with their grandparents after their parents migrated to work in other cities. Despite the generous support for students , Ye is known for his thrift and lives in a shabby cottage built 30 years ago.

89-year old Sharanavasavaraj Bisarahalli


A freedom fighter lives in Koppal, Karnataka in India is setting an example for the people who had to leave their education for different reasons.
     


Bisarahalli holds a degree in Law and master's degree from Karnataka University in Dharwad and Hampi Kannada University.
He now aspires to complete his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree . On his mission he says,

I had attempted the exam last year as well, but failed. This time, it went well and I am confident of clearing the exam.

He also plans to write a book on literature and Kannada poems.




Final Thought


Every stereotype has an element of truth in it. So has age. As we age day by day, we often have the feeling that we belong to anymore and that our age is the principal barrier to growth and success, particularly in our professional lives. It seems to us to be a major obstruction as we already view ourselves as the 'has beens' instead of being the 'wannabees'. This, however, is a myth which is easily understandable when it comes to breaking down  age barriers and ultimately changing the world. Jackie Ioyner-Kersee quotes
Age is no barrier. It's a limitation you put on your mind.
A barrier actually becomes a barrier when we think of it as one. For isn't it said that when we let the mind go, the body automatically follows. Yes age becomes an obstacle if for some reason we become medically unfit and unable to take up various or certain responsibilities. But as long as the body permits, there is no reason why the mind shouldn't cooperate with it. After all, it's the mind that rules the body and not vice-versa. And when mind is driven by soul there nothing appears as barrier.





Related Articles in this blog - how they overcome their barriers


World's Oldest Leader

92 Years Old Dr Mahathir Mohamad Makes Sworn in as World's Oldest Leader

Unstoppable Jon Morrow

Some Life Changing Inspirations of 'Unstoppable' Jon Morrow

   .               
By at 6 comments:
Labels: , ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

Henryk Goldszmit, his children and Dakghar (The Post office) - a curious link

   Witnesses saw him marching forward with a young child's wrist in his hand, followed by the entire phalanx of his beloved orphans,...