Walking into the several senior homes during our tour brought me mixed emotions. The first senior home we walked into, I remember thinking “this reminds me of college dorms”. However, after reading the costly visitor fees posted on the side of the wall, I was reminded that this senior home served as a last resort safe haven for some who lived anxiously on the street. When we went to look inside the dorm though, all I remember seeing was the owner of the room (Anthony?) smiling brightly. His welcoming demeanor brightened up the dull wallpaper and the thought of communal bathrooms. Likewise, the second location we visited was at a sweet grandma’s place who out of the blue kept telling us that her body would be donated to UC San Diego’s medical center. While I vehemently hoped in my head I would never see her ever again, I couldn’t help but notice her excited nature to be around so many guests as well as her high spirited personality.
The third senior home we visited, we met Bruce. Off the bat, Bruce carried great appreciation and gratitude towards us for even coming in the first place. He showed us around the nicely furnished, modern senior home and even to his own place which featured large windows with asian decorations. When Bruce opened up to us out on the patio about his passion for social work, it genuinely motivated me to work hard in order to help those who cannot help themselves. It definitely made sense why Bruce was previously awarded the changemaker award as he continuously emphasized the need to speak up for change.
Our last stop brought us to the North Park Senior Apartments. Being San Diego’s first LGBT friendly senior house, I noticed the tight knit community right off the bat. In the room next to us, the seniors appeared to be sitting outside basking in sunlight, even interacting with the dogs as if they were their own. Vivian and I decided to sit with Terry, a tall man who had recently made a small, clay version of his lifesize figurine. As we started the conversation talking about his artistic hobbies, we eventually got to hear in depth stories of his eventful life. From having AIDS and being HIV positive during a time when no doctor understood what that meant to traveling to India in the next month to celebrate his 65 years of age, Terry shared his ups and downs as he worked as a cabinet maker, art teacher, and as a father himself. Talking to Terry was truly the most eye opening, interesting experience so far. We got to visit his room and take a look at the different decorations he had mentioned as well as pictures of the people he surrounds himself with. His apartment was filled with greenery, rugs, paintings, and cultural statues. His stories were filled with various emotions, sometimes even dread, but always ended with appreciation for life and gratitude for his luck. Later on, I hope to have just as many stories to tell others as well as the contentment that Terry has for life.
The third senior home we visited, we met Bruce. Off the bat, Bruce carried great appreciation and gratitude towards us for even coming in the first place. He showed us around the nicely furnished, modern senior home and even to his own place which featured large windows with asian decorations. When Bruce opened up to us out on the patio about his passion for social work, it genuinely motivated me to work hard in order to help those who cannot help themselves. It definitely made sense why Bruce was previously awarded the changemaker award as he continuously emphasized the need to speak up for change.
Our last stop brought us to the North Park Senior Apartments. Being San Diego’s first LGBT friendly senior house, I noticed the tight knit community right off the bat. In the room next to us, the seniors appeared to be sitting outside basking in sunlight, even interacting with the dogs as if they were their own. Vivian and I decided to sit with Terry, a tall man who had recently made a small, clay version of his lifesize figurine. As we started the conversation talking about his artistic hobbies, we eventually got to hear in depth stories of his eventful life. From having AIDS and being HIV positive during a time when no doctor understood what that meant to traveling to India in the next month to celebrate his 65 years of age, Terry shared his ups and downs as he worked as a cabinet maker, art teacher, and as a father himself. Talking to Terry was truly the most eye opening, interesting experience so far. We got to visit his room and take a look at the different decorations he had mentioned as well as pictures of the people he surrounds himself with. His apartment was filled with greenery, rugs, paintings, and cultural statues. His stories were filled with various emotions, sometimes even dread, but always ended with appreciation for life and gratitude for his luck. Later on, I hope to have just as many stories to tell others as well as the contentment that Terry has for life.