Age No Limit

Too old to save lives? Never.

Lots of people think that when they 'get old' they are no longer needed or useful. We won't debate it - instead let's rephrase it:

Sometimes, when we have accumulated lots of life experience, we think that we can no longer contribute to the world.

Put like that it sounds contradictory doesn't it! Well, of course it is. No matter how old we are, we have lots of value and can offer amazing amounts of help to the world which, let's face it, needs help.

Here's a good example.

Wendy Smith was eighty-four but decided to learn first aid. So she did her first aid training with St John Ambulance. Just a way of passing time, you might say. Just a bit of amusement. Not likely to be of any use.

Her neighbour is still here to tell you different. After having a heart attack, he had stopped breathing. It's called 'died'. Because of her willingness to learn and have a positive impact on the world - despite being 84 years young - her neighbour survived. Wendy Smith, 84, saved his life. This eighty-four year old did CPR for ten minutes until the ambulance arrived.

So don't think you are too old. Don't think that your usefulness has come to an end. Because, at the end of the day, Wendy Smith and her neighbour are living proof of Age No Limit.

Too old to ride a horse? Not even at ninety!

Thea Murphy always wanted to ride a horse. For practically all of her ninety years, it was her ambition. She was ninety, partially paralyzed and blind in one eye. And did we mention that she was ninety years old? Too old to ride a horse huh?

Well, proving the adage of Age No Limit, she did ride a horse! A non-profit group called 'Celebrating Seniors' made it all possible.

She loves animals and she loves horses especially and will not be forgetting her ride too soon. Yes, she said, she might be a little sore tomorrow but it didn't matter a bit. This was a day never to be forgotten.

http://www.pressdemocrat.com/home/2889165-181/volunteer-program-helps-dreams-come

http://www.horsecollaborative.com/wish-granted-as-90-year-old-woman-takes-first-horseback-ride/

Marathon Man at 101 years old!

Faujah Sing lost his wife and son when he was 89. Most people might have given up on life but he decided there was life in him yet and he started running. And so it was that in February 2013, he became the oldest person to run a marathon - at 101 years old!

And he didn't stop there - he's since completed eight more races!

But he was no stranger to record breaking - he broke NINE world records during his trip to Toronto in 2011!

Just take a look a the following videos - here's one guy who definitely doesn't buy in to the stereotype vision of older people:

He'd be the first to say.... Age No Limit!

Never too old to get married.

George Kirby and Doreen Luckie certainly don't think you can be too old to get married. Since Doreen is 91 and George is a sprightly 103 - they should know!

According to George, Doreen keeps him young. Despite that, he didn't get down on one knee - getting up might have been too much of a problem.

And it hasn't been a whirlwind romance either. They first 'got together' twenty seven years ago and have spent that time living together and really getting to know each other. But don't think twenty-seven years has dimmed the romance. George even proposed on Valentine's Day and when they do marry it will be in front of 60 guests.

George and Doreen prove, beyond a shadow of a doubt - Age No Limit!

You can't teach an old dog new tricks - OH, BUT YOU CAN!

There are plenty of people that will tell you that your school days are over.

There are plenty of people that will tell you that you are too old to learn.

There are plenty of people that will tell you that you can't teach old dogs new tricks.

But they are wrong.

Quite apart from Elizabeth Kirby who gained her PhD at 93, there is that of Kimani Maruge who held the Guiness World Record for being the oldest person to start primary school at 84. He knew that education was important and - most importantly - that you are never too old to learn.

Then, there is the case of Kenyan grandmother Priscilla Sitienei - who prefers to be called Gogo - who attends primary school with with six of her great-great-grandchildren.

She wanted to learn to read the bible and to inspire children to learn. Many older children no longer attend school and when confronted they say that they are 'too old'. Well, Gogo soon puts them right on that score. You are NEVER too old. And she is living proof.

The headmaster of her school calls her a blessing - which she undoubtedly is. And all of the pupils just love her.

She is an inspiration to us all.

She even has a sign on her dormitory at the school - it reads 'Welcome to Priscilla's Dormitory - Education has no age limit'. Well, we'd second that.

Elizabeth Kirby, Kimani Maruge and Priscilla Sitienei are all shining examples of Age No Limit!

Kenyan grandmother at school with her great-great-grandchildren

Kimani Maruge

Watch her on YouTube

Never too old to become an Artist

Sam Lustig started sculpting in his 70s. At a time when most people would be giving up, he decided to try something new. And when he decides something, he doesn't do it by halves. Now he is in his nineties and designing sculptures in his own studio.

http://agesong.com/today/2325/nonagenarian-started-designing-sculpture-in-his-70s/

His sculptures are not tiny either - and they are far from simple statues. Most are interactive - they move when you touch them, or in some cases, when the wind blows.

Of course, he doesn't spend all his time creating sculptures - he also works out on one of his exercise machines!

Sam is a perfect example of Age No Limit.

Too old to keep fit? Not even at 99 years old!

Margaret Grove was ninety-nine when she started taking fitness classes at the Westend Seniors Activity Centre on Ottawa!

But although Margaret is the oldest, she's not the only one. Rose Boucher - a young 72 - has rheumatoid arthritis and says that going to the classes helps her a lot. And it's fun, she adds. And Gwyneth Bell - who is 84 - goes twice a week to build up her muscle strength. "It makes a difference," she says. "It really does".

Margaret Grove - who let's remind ourselves is 99 years old - says the classes helped her regain mobility after breaking her hip.

Some people have been coming to Ilonka Wormsbecker's fitness classes for more than 20 years. And if you didn't guess it, Ilonka herself is no spring chicken at 84.

Which all just goes to prove - you are never too old to keep fit. Honestly, it's just another case of Age No Limit.

Fitness leader inspires seniors