I’m 84 1/2 years along, and this morning desperately wanting to connect with women who are active, with positive attitudes, but experiencing physical challenges. Within the last 2-3 years, one new diagnosis then another are seeming to become barriers to my own activity and positive attitude. I’m looking forward to learning about this group and hoping to connect.
ElderChicks 
Welcome to the world of people with disabilities. We’re here for you whether you need tricks of the trade or someone to laugh and cry with. Kathie in WI
Voila! You are connected!! Welcome, Carol, to ElderChicks, a place where women – and often men – share ideas and interests. You remind me of the famous Bette Davis comment, “Old age is not for sissies.” How right she was. At some point it does feel like we’re facing a series of tests, many physical, some social, emotional, and/or spiritual. I’m hoping passing them makes us stronger and more and more aware of how important these connections to each other (human beings) are. So glad to be connected to you!
Responding to Carol Couch-
These are very difficult years, no question about it! A positive attitude is important, of course, but health issues need to be taken into account. When chronic back pain made walking unpleasant, I decided to make swimming my go-to exercise. When I felt depressed at all the bad news from aging friends, I signed on to volunteer with young immigrant families who want to learn English. I meet them on zoom when I’m not able to see them in person, and now I’m the “American grandmother” to a darling Brazilian boy. And for me, books are a life saver — both hard copies and audiobooks. If you’re limited in your ability to get around, consider the magic of book groups, which can be very stimulating, even on zoom. (If you’re not an avid reader of novels or nonfiction, try a short story book group. Ours has been going strong for years!)
Carol, Connect with this wonderful group by all means,
but also ask me for my email address. I fit your description:
87, positive attitude, dealing with one drama after another with
some form of verve.
thelma, please introduce us!
Carol Vorchheimer/aka Bashful 4
I am 68 but experiencing ome thing after another also. I am not big on exercise, but usually I am able to do what I want, but this year I am having problems with my hip and back, and sleep apnea. I am trying to get each thing under control but it is slow going. Hopefully soon the worst will be over, and for you too.
Hi Carol, I’m fairly new to this group of chick-a-dee’s but so enjoy reading comments but haven’t actually contributed my two cents until now. My husband is almost 80 and is experiencing a lot of health challenges of his own. I’m a little younger but watching him struggle is painful. I try to keep a positive attitude for him but he’s not too happy because of his pain. I can truly understand anyone who is having a tough time with one ailment after another. I’m available if you need someone to email. I try to put a humorous spin on things because I love to laugh and Joe, my husband is hilarious. He is a southerner with a very slow southern accent, sometimes I feel like I’m in another country because I don’t understand anything he’s talking about. I tell people you need a passport in this part of Alabama. 🙂
To CAROL C. Considered yourself connected. I am 89 and definitely think ”outside the box.” First are we talking…physical, mental and/or spiritual? Or just a basket case in general? I avoid basket cases! I am much more into the physical limitations area as in walking and breathing…the breathing is a new thingy. Hence my new nickname AKM. (ass kicking momma, if you must know) Not excerises but doing; as in painting dormers on roof, camping on the rough or repairing my car.That was yesterday, today I have learned to pivot…what some call disabilities I can pivot to make them work for me, not against me. we will leave that for another e-mail.
I give full permission for Elder Chicks to forward my e-mail to you IF you so desire. My motto is “Give’m hell son!”
You are not alone out there. My dear neighbor Jo passed away in her 90’s of a broken heart but she never let CA defeat her. She never changed her routine, no matter what diagnosis came up. I think her upbeat attitude is what kept her beating the odds. She is my role model when life dishes up the lemons.
As you can see by the many responses, others support you.
Here for you, Carol. Blessings Vee.
So, as one Carol to another, how does it feel to get connected to many of us dealing with similar issues of aging? And, let’s not overlook Covid, and all the difficulties it too has posed for every one of us. Among other things, I am experiencing ‘re-entry’ barriers to cross: the first movie in a theater felt exciting, the first dinner IN a restaurant felt like dancing on the table, singing, “FREE AT LAST”! Sometimes I feel like a car, that is always going into the dealership for maintenance, when it comes to one medical situation after another…But, I do tend to find a bright side, and right now with a 19 year old granddaughter becoming engaged, and planning a fall wedding I am tickled pink. Carol Vorchheimer, aka Bashful4