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The saddest by-product of the pandemic is how many people rationalize death tolls by age.
The "83 was a good innings" logic to diminish the value of life in old age.
Ok lets take a look at 83.
The "83 was a good innings" logic to diminish the value of life in old age.
Ok lets take a look at 83.
Denis O' Connor was 83 when armed robbers burst into Bar One in Glanmire, Cork in 2018 trying to rob the place.
He tackled all of them and ran them out of the place like a boss. Age was no barrier to Denis, who sadly died in May this year.
RIP legend. https://www.irishpost.com/news/cork-great-grandfather-famously-fought-off-armed-robbers-betting-shop-passes-away-185145
He tackled all of them and ran them out of the place like a boss. Age was no barrier to Denis, who sadly died in May this year.
RIP legend. https://www.irishpost.com/news/cork-great-grandfather-famously-fought-off-armed-robbers-betting-shop-passes-away-185145
83-year-old Annette Callan from Ardee was featured in cycling promotional videos last year.
An avid long-distance cyclist who lives by a philosophy of "Just keep moving", she starts her day with yoga and handstands.
She took up skydiving in 2019. https://www.welovecycling.com/ie/2019/06/25/welovecycling-hero-still-going-strong-at-83/
An avid long-distance cyclist who lives by a philosophy of "Just keep moving", she starts her day with yoga and handstands.
She took up skydiving in 2019. https://www.welovecycling.com/ie/2019/06/25/welovecycling-hero-still-going-strong-at-83/
Tom Boyle was not far off his 83rd birthday when he graduated from Waterford IT last year, with an honours Arts degree in Irish and English.
"I'm glad he achieved it, I'm glad I'm alive to see it," said his proud wife Phyllis. https://www.rte.ie/news/education/2019/1031/1087837-tom-boyle-graduation/
"I'm glad he achieved it, I'm glad I'm alive to see it," said his proud wife Phyllis. https://www.rte.ie/news/education/2019/1031/1087837-tom-boyle-graduation/
83-year-old Rod Waterlow qualified for 2020 Boston marathon but the pandemic scuppered it.
He ran one anyway a few weeks ago and completed it in under 5 hours, cheered along by dozens of local supporters.
His dream is to run London marathon in 2021.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/boston-marathon-s-oldest-qualified-runner-completes-virtual-race-in-vancouver-1.5731888#:~:text=Vancouverite%20Rod%20Waterlow%2C%2083%2C%20was,said%20shortly%20after%20he%20finished.
He ran one anyway a few weeks ago and completed it in under 5 hours, cheered along by dozens of local supporters.
His dream is to run London marathon in 2021.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/boston-marathon-s-oldest-qualified-runner-completes-virtual-race-in-vancouver-1.5731888#:~:text=Vancouverite%20Rod%20Waterlow%2C%2083%2C%20was,said%20shortly%20after%20he%20finished.
Mary Jo Kilmurray was given a heroes welcome in Rhode as she came home from hospital after overcoming both a broken hip and Covid19.
One of the most valued in her community, people lined the streets to welcome her back home. https://www.newstalk.com/news/offaly-woman-84-says-homecoming-coronavirus-recovery-something-wont-forget-999990
One of the most valued in her community, people lined the streets to welcome her back home. https://www.newstalk.com/news/offaly-woman-84-says-homecoming-coronavirus-recovery-something-wont-forget-999990
John Joe Quinn made headlines this year for his alarm clock photo in the pub in Galway.
Just an ordinary man in his 80's with some sage advice:
"To hell with the feckin' pubs, health is more important." https://www.lmfm.ie/news/showbiz/pensioner-responds-to-viral-and-misunderstood-pub-photo/
Just an ordinary man in his 80's with some sage advice:
"To hell with the feckin' pubs, health is more important." https://www.lmfm.ie/news/showbiz/pensioner-responds-to-viral-and-misunderstood-pub-photo/
And that's just it.
I can show you hundreds of examples of inspirational older people who do inspirational things.
But inspiration is what we take from someone, not what someone gives us.
It can be found every day in the ordinary.
I can show you hundreds of examples of inspirational older people who do inspirational things.
But inspiration is what we take from someone, not what someone gives us.
It can be found every day in the ordinary.
Ordinary older Irish men and women inspire us daily by being themselves.
They have hopes and dreams, just like us.
Whether that's to run a marathon, or watch their grandchildren grow up, no aspiration is invalidated by age.
We also owe our very existence in this life to them.
They have hopes and dreams, just like us.
Whether that's to run a marathon, or watch their grandchildren grow up, no aspiration is invalidated by age.
We also owe our very existence in this life to them.
And we all have a say in the trajectory of an epidemic.
It's a tiny say but when millions join in tiny actions, like wearing a mask, they make up a collective difference.
83-year-olds want to see 84. We can help them.
All life is precious, it doesn't lose its value by age.
It's a tiny say but when millions join in tiny actions, like wearing a mask, they make up a collective difference.
83-year-olds want to see 84. We can help them.
All life is precious, it doesn't lose its value by age.
