Community Chat

[Magenta]

Hi you all,

Well, several months went by and we have had many great opportunities from getting free tickets for concerts as well as free lectures. There are walking groups, coffee groups, book clubs, all of those are free.

Also, and that's what this is all about. We have started a "Balance Program", consisting of exercises to teach the body how to be better balanced, so the falling down on the street or even at home, this becomes less serious or is not happening at all. The "Teacher" has a MA in P.T. from G.W. University, from whom I took my rehab, so am already familiar with some of the exercises we need to learn.

The costs for a 10 week program is $50.00, and the sessions last 1 1/2 hr. maximum. We received a packet with exercises, photos of students, and websites where we can find them along with videos as well. The clue is that nothing in the body will change, unless you do most exercises daily or 3/week. I have also spoken to a program director if we could get someone teaching us Qi Gong too, as that entails healing exercises which I did years ago (when having a car). After the session I felt that every cell in my body was alive and was an unbelievable experience. Luckily Beverly is working on Qi Gong already, now I hope we can get enough people interested to participated. For the exercise group we had a grand total of 13 peops so very good, and hope we can get together a group for the new one as well.

So my feeling about belonging to this "Village" in my part of town, has paid off big time, and if in your area this comes about, before judging, take a good look at was is offered.

Interestingly, some of you read the article for which i was interviewed in the Wash. Post. So many members sent it to all over the country to some 80 cities through friends, and there it was published again. So am hoping there are now more of those groups in the making, as ours, only in business 6 months, has been a great success!!!

A very Happy Camper and Yes, so far I have done my exercises every day (i.e., continue my rehab exercises as well...)

Have a wonderful weekend, everybody and hope that your area has by now Spring...

Hugs,

Magenta

P.S. Congressman John Lewis, the African American, who played a big role in the civil rights time, and being close to Dr. M.L.K. will be speaking to us on the 30th. He was arrested 50 times, and thrown in jail.... it is amazing that he still has a sense of humor. Can't wait to hear him next week.

[sunala]

Hi Liesbeth! This program sounds wonderful, and you're so fortunate to have found it and to be able to participate in their various groups.

I saved the link to the Washington Post article but I can't find it in my mailbox. Can you please repost so I can read it?

I'm so happy for you! I hope that your group tomorrow will be better than you're expecting it to be, and that the sun will shine for you.

Have a beautiful weekend,

Sunny

[olivia1123]

I think the group sounds wonderful. I would love to be part of something like that.

How lucky you are to hear John Lewis speak. He is one of my heros. Enjoy

Ellen

[Allegheny]

I wish there was such a program in an area near me. I envy you.

[kdgn]

What a wonderful program this has turned out to be, Magenta. I read the original article and was very impressed. I wish the idea would spread across the country!

[Magenta]

Sunny, here is the very long Washington Post thread, reflecting the entire article which was send to many other publications around the country.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/through-a-growing-number-of-senior-villages-in-the-dc-area-aging...

On the top of the article is a lovely lady who needed her pictures hung and a volunteer came over and did that for her. Right below it, are 4 pix in which I am myself, the one in the blue. On the right is a picture of my little kitchen, showing the door of the fridge open and showing the many postcards that i had gotten so far.

Hope it comes through. Interestingly, I know a lady in the Netherlands, who has met with politicians who have a budget to repeat this program there in the Amsterdam neighborhood. She is working on a proposal, got all the nitty gritty info and details from me. It is still harder over there to get as many volunteers, although it is improving.

BTW, we have just passed the 6 month time limit. And have a signed lease for office space, and you guess never where? In the church across from my apt. bldg. The carpet and other things have already put down, it is now already an official office. The church needed money, and this seemed to be an ideal situation for all involved.

Do have a great weekend, and sorry I couldn't shorten this darn link.

Bye everybody,

Liesbeth/magenta

Ellen, so great to see you here and hope you and the family are well! I also can't wait to hear John Lewis speak. When recently I saw him in his off. he came out dancing!

[sunala]

Thanks Liesbeth!

Enjoy your weekend. Have you seen the cherry blossoms yet, or are they done?

Hugs xox

[Kachina624]

Magenta, have you started doing your tours yet? Just wondering how you're managing with your new knee? Your "village" program sounds wonderful; I wish we had something like that where I live.

[PinkClover]

Sounds like a wonderful ""village."" Would love to be part of it. Do you assist people in developing a village?