a photograph of these elders, enjoying beating on the drums…
A very good example of staying young at heart, of socializing more and more, in the elderly years, on getting involved with the world as we age, from the Front Page Sections, translated…
Other than the “Bikinis that Never Age”, there are also, a lot of the elderly from Taiwan, who’d taken their skills to Hong Kong to perform. The twelve elders aging over nine-hundred fifty years, for most of them, it was, their first trip abroad, although they were, immobilized, in their wheelchairs, needed walkers, they’d still, carried themselves in strides, step, by step, hoped, to pass that spirit of aging gracefully to more people.
The Bamboo Forest Nursing Home eight years ago, set up the “Drumline of Elders”, at first, they just set up the plastic chairs, the kneading sticks, wanted to help rehabilitate those elders who’d lost control over their bodies, those who’d become, demented, to get physically healthier, but, as the elders got into the beating of the drums, they’d become, very, enthusiastic, they’d performed at the Dome, as well as the Concert Hall in Yilan, and this, is the troupe’s first time performing abroad.
and, a footage of the elders, walking down a runway…
The conductor of the drummers, Hsieh said, ever since these elders started practicing playing drums, it’d not just, tapped into their musical potentials, it’d also, given something to look forward to every single day, “From looking into their eyes, I see that desire, that longing, for more”, the rumbling of the drums sounded like the hearts beating, and, it’d allowed the elderly to feel alive again. Although, taking the elderly abroad, there would be, worries, but, as the elders are all, willing to take that step outward, “naturally, we’d all, supported them.”
The Bamboo Forest Nursing Home had sent five elders on this trip, the oldest is already eighty-eight, and, as they gotten on the flights, they’d needed to change into the wheelchair specified for the airplane cabinets, in order to, get into their seats; and, in Hong Kong, where there is not a friendly space for the handicapped population, they’d had to, work, really hard, climbing aboard onto the tour busses, and climbing up the stairs to the restaurants, and, it was, not at all, easy for them, but, they’d gotten the proof, of the ability to prove their own worth to the world, which was, more precious, than any trials they’d encountered on the trip.
The eighty-one year-old Chiu started walking on a high stick at age seventy, although he’s already very elderly, standing atop that high stick of a little over three feet high, he is, more than steady, this time, he’d taken the persona of Santa Claus, handing out the presents, bringing joys, to the elderly in both Hong Kong and Taiwan.
This, would be what aging gracefully looks like, these elders are staying active, getting involved in life, bringing joy to others, and, making their final years memorable at the same time.
Life, the Obstacle Course 