Sunday was our retreat at the Martin Johnson House at Scripps and the first time I met my fellow cohort peers! Initially, I felt a bit nervous attending the retreat- this is partly due to the fact that I did not know anyone. My thoughts initially changed when I was warmly welcomed by Professor Lewis and Bussell. Of all the activities I did on this day, two meant the most to me.
Our cohort was asked to play the “Life Course Game” and my group was given a card of the economic and demographic status of the player we were. Our player was categorized as a White disadvantaged individual from a low economic and educational background. The other groups had a multitude of different statuses, but the group who was “privileged” rolled first. Throughout the game, our player landed on many red and green spots that ranged from our player benefitting or not by the cards (causing us to move forward or back spaces). Our initial status of being ‘unprivileged’ caused us to move back many spaces throughout the game and caused us to finish last. While debriefing with my peers, the discussion was centered on how much of a significance the family you were born into plays a role in ‘winning’ the game. To me, this game made me realize the power of how privilege and status can impede or enhance one’s life.
In my notebook, I wrote a personal reflection of where I want to be when I am 80 years old. When I am at this age, I hope I am healthy, independent, and able to live comfortably with my family. I hope I am able to have viewed everything that is beautiful, seen the world, and experience the best of what life has to offer. I hope I am able to have been a caring physician, made an influence on others, and give back to the community I grew up in.
After writing my personal reflection, I came to realize that my aspirations are similar to many others regardless of where we lie on the spectrum of status. I know that living a long, healthy, and meaningful life is the desire of my parents as well as many others. However, I recognize that healthy aging is another privilege that not everyone is able to fully experience. Through this program, I hope to learn more about how healthy aging differs within populations, and to see how my Healthy Aging Project (HAP) can influence this.
Our cohort was asked to play the “Life Course Game” and my group was given a card of the economic and demographic status of the player we were. Our player was categorized as a White disadvantaged individual from a low economic and educational background. The other groups had a multitude of different statuses, but the group who was “privileged” rolled first. Throughout the game, our player landed on many red and green spots that ranged from our player benefitting or not by the cards (causing us to move forward or back spaces). Our initial status of being ‘unprivileged’ caused us to move back many spaces throughout the game and caused us to finish last. While debriefing with my peers, the discussion was centered on how much of a significance the family you were born into plays a role in ‘winning’ the game. To me, this game made me realize the power of how privilege and status can impede or enhance one’s life.
In my notebook, I wrote a personal reflection of where I want to be when I am 80 years old. When I am at this age, I hope I am healthy, independent, and able to live comfortably with my family. I hope I am able to have viewed everything that is beautiful, seen the world, and experience the best of what life has to offer. I hope I am able to have been a caring physician, made an influence on others, and give back to the community I grew up in.
After writing my personal reflection, I came to realize that my aspirations are similar to many others regardless of where we lie on the spectrum of status. I know that living a long, healthy, and meaningful life is the desire of my parents as well as many others. However, I recognize that healthy aging is another privilege that not everyone is able to fully experience. Through this program, I hope to learn more about how healthy aging differs within populations, and to see how my Healthy Aging Project (HAP) can influence this.