Senior Planet Sponsored Athletes
Meet Keo Capestany. He’s one of many 2022 Senior Planet Sponsored Athletes, and he’ll be posting updates on his well being & wellness journey by the remainder of this yr. At age 86, Keo preaches “the gospel of pumping iron.” At present, Keo is sharing a private story to point out that even an octogenarian weightlifter can use somewhat help to remain balanced and regular.
I’m 86 years outdated. Many individuals have instructed me that I look youthful, which makes me very comfortable! Whereas I can nonetheless drive, I desire to make use of public transportation as a lot as potential. Previously, regardless of driving buses and the sunshine rail a number of instances per week, I used to be hardly ever provided the seats reserved for seniors — a regrettable draw back of my “youthful” look. 5 years in the past, different folks’s conduct towards me unexpectedly modified…
Utilizing a Cane
Round that point, I had two severe falls. Happily, since my bones have been sturdier than my widespread sense, the falls damage solely my dignity. I didn’t reveal the primary accident to my spouse, however I couldn’t conceal the second from her as a result of she witnessed it. I surrendered to her persistent insistence and, very reluctantly, I began utilizing a cane.
A person with a plan…
In my occupation as a courtroom interpreter, I’m well-known to the safety workers at a number of courthouses. As a way to conceal my “shameful” cane use from them, I bought a folding one which I might conceal in my backpack. I assumed this was an excellent stratagem!
The primary time that I executed my plan, as I approached the venerable edifice, I hid behind some bushes, folded the damning instrument, and deposited it within the backpack. With it securely out of sight, I entered the temple of justice. Nonetheless… the eager imaginative and prescient of the safety x-ray machine detected my deceit. The cane contains a pistol grip that on the display screen appeared like a menacing gun! To my public humiliation, the safety guard known as over an officer who searched my bag and ordered the offending object out. I then needed to show its non-lethal features to his suspicious satisfaction.
Bodily and ethical assist
Regardless of that preliminary inconvenience, after a couple of weeks of cane use, I grew to become conscious that in addition to my cane being a potent reminder to concentrate to hazards like curbs and irregularities on sidewalks, it has additionally generated fantastic uncomfortable side effects. Now, transit automobiles kneel to facilitate my boarding and exiting, and I’m constantly provided seating for my driving consolation. After I method constructing entrances, doorways are held open for my comfort, and vehicles cease firmly as I enter crosswalks.
“Prevention is the most effective medication.”
It is a pleasant admonition to my fellow elders: ready till you completely want to begin utilizing a cane could be very foolish. Prevention is the most effective medication. Don’t be afraid to begin benefiting from the steadiness (and perks!) that include utilizing a cane.
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