Inspiring

Left to right, Gerry Atkinson, nurse, and Johnny Juboy at Perth Royal Hospital, Heart Surgery Ward.


Fred Beales, 92YO, at Citiplace doing his rounds of clearing up and making friends laugh with his cheeky antiques.

Brian Kennedy, 77YO, at Speedome, Midland, in preparation for his bicycle race in Portugal.

Seniors volunteering their time and effort in the community. No matter their age, background, health histories or what they've been through in life, they're efforts are inspiring. In fact, "efforts" is not the appropriate word here as they clearly do not potray any form of "exertion". They love what they do, making others happy, spreading light and love. Inspiring....

They're passionate, happy, wise and full of life and love that we as young as we are often lack. They've been through the hard, tough times, the happy, joyful times and they bring with them so many stories and thoughts about life and the people who surround them.

If we sit and listen, even for just 5 minutes, to what they have to tell, we would learn from them. Learn that we do not have it harder than the other. We each have our "burdens" and "desperation" that is unique to each and every one of us and we have to stop going through life thinking "my life is so hard, the other has it so easy". Instead, and most importantly, even if we think we have "burdens", we are still ever so lucky, luckier than the other. Reason being, our elderly of this day and age have been through so much more than we can imagine, for example, the war of 1942.

Note, I've used "burdens" in inverted comas because we clearly do not understand the extent of a "burden". If we go through life thinking of these "burdens" as just another stepping stone through our life to teach us patience, understanding, acceptance and a sense of calm we would handle them so differently. Positivity will help create a positive outcome.

Seniors whom I've met on this particular day at DFC, travelling out to the places to capture the essence of who they are and what they do to infect others with the happiness they embrace, has shown me all this and more.

On Tuesday, 5 October, our Community Relations Officer, Allan, another intern and myself, went out to photograph 3 seniors who were all finalists in the Seniors Week Awards 2010, an awards ceremony celebrating our seniors contribution within the local community in WA. This takes place on 31 October while Seniors Week runs from 31 October to 7 November which includes a variety of activities in each suburb for seniors to enjoy.

My main project here at DFC is media statements particularly for Cadets WA, as mentioned in my previous blog, but we're so flat out busy proof-reading, editing and collaborating events and media statements for Seniors Week that I, along with others, am putting my hand in this. Also, since schools were on their break I have taken on a project for the Grants department and on my way to another media statement.

I have a few more things to say about each and every one of the 3 seniors I had met and inspire all of you with but will have to return with this. Let me say thanks to Brian Kennedy, Fred Beales and Gerry Atkinson. Also, not forgetting there is another senior in particular, that I had met at this photography session who deserves appreciation too, Johnny Juboy. And thanks to my grandparents for all the stories and inspiration. We should appreciate them and never neglect them.

Thanks to you all for listening! Till then...