Getting Old Ain't for Sissies!

By Leane Marchese, Executive Director, ElderHelp of San Diego

I want to share with you a story of one of ElderHelp's seniors:

Mr. Paulson rode his bike for 20 years as a way to save money and keep fit in retirement. He lives on social security and a small pension and manages to keep independent and healthy.

Every couple of weeks or so he would come by the ElderHelp offices to make copies and to just say 'Hi!'. Last fall, each time he came in the office he shared that his bicycle was getting more and more rickety and he was worried he would not be able to ride it past the first of the year.

Immediately, the ElderHelp team began searching for a way to buy him a new bike. We gathered enough donations and parked a shiny new bike next to ElderHelp's Christmas tree awaiting Mr. Paulson's next visit. In he came bundled up with red cheeks glowing on a rather chilly (San Diego) December day.

We hailed all staff and volunteers into the lobby and presented Mr. Paulson with his new bike. Large crocodile tears welled up in his eyes and he shared that he had not received a holiday gift in over ten years! He was so surprised and excited and didn't know what to say!

Who would know that receiving a bicycle at the age of 85 would be as magical as when we were 8!

Just this past October, Mr. Paulson had to permanently give up riding his bike due to his impaired vision, but ElderHelp continues to be there for him and provide a valuable connection to services and people who care.

Together we can make such an amazing impact on the life of seniors in need!