Down, But not Out!!!!

Susan Eng, V.P.Advocacy with CARP (Canadian Association of Retired Persons) was on TV this past weekend talking about ideas for the upcoming Federal budget and what were some seniors' needs she would like to see included in that budget. As I watched the program I suddenly realized that I am not only a senior, but an octogenarian to boot. She did not have much to say about us. So I switched news channels and there before my eyes was a piece on a 90 year old ski instructor at a resort in the U.S. I found this much more interesting and uplifting.

I was skiing at Blue Mountain near Toronto last week, and because it was 'study week' for some universities, I found myself surrounded by hundreds of youthful skiers. I felt quite at home and pushed my way through the line-ups like everybody else. Wearing a helmet, goggles and winter clothing actually hides my age rather well. Being alone gave me the advantage of getting in the "singles only" line and thus a quick slide to my favourable position on the chair lift. One disability I do have is getting off the chair at the top. Not only is the chair moving fast, but often it is close to the off-ramp at ground level and hence, I require the handle on the end of the chair to push myself up. Other than that I manage to stay on my feet. Except for a recent fall in the village bar, but that is another story.

However, by mid-afternoon on the slopes my body was saying it's time to quit, while my mind was saying just one more run. My body won out, after all I am an octogenarian!

When I was born real seniors were few and far between. In fact, the senior population of Canada was only 5%! But there have been staggering advances in medical science and diet. For example, many today get new hips, knees, eyes etc. and the future looks even brighter! Now that the Boomers (1946-1965) are facing age sixty-five, the senior population in Canada has reached 13% according to Stats Canada and will reach over two million by 2021. Of course I don't agree that youngsters in their 50's and 60's should be included in that count!

And that brings me to my concern. I feel like Sidney Crosby must be feeling about now: knocked out of his game! When David Steckel and then Victor Hedman (6'7") bashed in Sid's head, they removed him from the game(s). No sympathy from Don Cherry who calls anyone on the receiving end of a head hit a "dum-dum" because they were skating with their heads down. Of course, that does not excuse the elbowing player for taking advantage. After all, the puck is pretty small and one needs to see the puck if it's around your feet. Now 'The Kid" is on the sidelines, out of the game.

Granted there are many government services for seniors. There are reams of 'new pills' to help us suffer through the daily aches and pains of our aging bodies, and there are many who fake surprise when they learn your age. But let's face it, in the eyes of many, even CARP, AARP and government services, the old people are the 60's and 70's, not we octogenarians, we are no longer in the game and have been, consciously or unconsciously, left to sit on the bench and wait for...whatever!

In the next few years there will be a lot more of us. So you politicians, organizations, advertisers and writers better get with the program. Many of us are still out there skiing, travelling, partying, and maybe even enjoying sex. We are here and you had better get used to us. For a few more years anyway!

And that's Dick's View of the World this week.