Getting old

[TW]

We had another jolt today. A friend of ours has been diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis. It's not treatable.

The only things that would help her are lung transplant, and that's only good for a couple years of life. The other - still experimental, but working - not available in the US, stem cell infusion into the lungs.

Of course there wouldn't be any assistance on either of these directions. That's being eliminated with the changes in Medicare and supplementary insurance.

[brewerbruce]

Its not only the old that are giving us bad news TW.....friends of ours 27 year old son was diagnosed with Leukemia with the Philadelphia chromosome, a very tough battle lies ahead for him and other friends of ours 28 year old daughter just had a massive stroke and will never recover. She will be paralyzed the rest of her life and cannot speak either. Last week SUCKED with bad news

[TW]

Maybe we just see it differently because we've faced issues ourselves. I don't know to be honest, but it seems like there are so many situations happening. More than there were in the past? I can't be certain. It might be that we see them as more important.

I do know one thing. I go to bed every night, and wake up every morning, with more of a feeling that I'm less important in the scheme of things, and others are more important.

Then I ask myself why I was spared, and not someone like the two young people, or friends, who weren't? I just never get comfortable with the fact that I was the fortunate one.

As you know Bruce, it's humbling, knowing we dodged the bullets. You get a different perspective on life, and those we know.

[amoeba15]

HOPE & INSPIRATION..IS WHAT WE ALL NEED.

I was at the Chinn Center (my gym) during water aerobics last week and a Swim Instructor informed me about Woodbridge Scuba www.woodbridgescuba.com/ helping disables veterans returning from Iraq & Afghanistan at Walter Reed.

I immediately googled the info. that I was given and found:

Soldiers Undertaking Disabled Scuba (SUDS) at Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) and Ft. Belvoir, VA is designed to help improve the lives of injured veterans returning from Iraq & Afghanistan. By training the warriors in a challenging & rewarding activity it can help facilitate the rehabilitation process & promote mobility. Offering this venue provides the soldier with a sport they can enjoy throughout their life. SUDS is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization & a chapter of the Wounded Warrior / Disabled Sports Project.

sudsdiving.org/

Needless to say, I contacted both companies, informed them that I am appointed to the Disability Services Board for PWC, VA and that we are here to help and would love them to share their experiences with me re a DSB monthly newsletter & a quarterly PWC news release.

In short, I sent the following:

During the past four years I have had three major surgeries to my left knee. I have learned to appreciate the enormous benefits that water aerobics can provide regarding pain management, strengthening, flexibility and much, much more. In fact, non weight-bearing water aerobics is mostly responsible for my rapid recovery, whereas, weight-bearing land physical therapy exercises frequently was responsible for my continued high levels of pain and setbacks such as having 40 cc's of fluid in my left knee and minimal improvement in leg/knee strength.

In the Disability Services Board monthly newsletter www.pwcgov.org/docLibrary/PDF/001853.pdf , I hope to include stories that will help to expose the significance of water aerobics and other activities that will help people with disabilities to improve their pain management, strength, flexibility and capture control of their lives again. Currently, the Chinn Center has agreed to provide our newsletter with their information on a 'pool lift' and perhaps, the benefits of water aerobics. A 'pool lift' is designed to transport a wheelchair bound disabled person to the swimming pool.

In a nutshell, I am trying to share success stories re that which has significantly helped the disabled. Hope and encouragement is needed when the heart, mind, body and soul is consumed by soooo much despair.

I am hopeful that doing so will help to not only extend the lives of the disabled, but to help the disabled to live a much more enjoyable and fulfilling life.

Since there are soooooo many sad stories out there, I am trying to give back and help those who may need a helping hand.