This is my first trip to an on-site community study trip with the USP 141A life course scholar program. This is such an interesting, informative and emotional experience for me. I came to campus to gather with peers at 8am and we visited four locations: Potiker family senior residence and Sara Frances Hometel, Talmadge Gateway apartments, North Park senior apartments.
At the last stop of North Park senior apartments, I have a chance to have lunch and conversation with this lady. Her name is Cherry (I might have got it wrong). Her brother is like her best friend and is also a gay. Sadly, he died at 40. Her sister lives in Santa Barbara and is strange to her and her parents did not seem to support her in a spiritual and living way when they recognized her true identity. Regarding career, she devoted her youth into airforce military and worked as a big activist for LGBTQ+ rights. Her only consolation came in knowing that she could walk her dog out every day and join the weekly community events like Bingo game or exercise club. I admired the way she fought for her identity and also for people who have the same situation.
Due to the obstacle from sexual and gender discrimination, It has been a huge problem to bring out the LGBTQ+ identity and advocate for the living rights and benefits for years. I believe the society, government and organizations could do more to shout for attention on this issue, justifying for the group’s demands to raise awareness, and empowering these people with comfort and empathy to open up themselves and educating people to have the right attitude towards aging population, especially those who are LGBTQ+ and other underprivileged groups.
Saturday, 02/11: Valentine Celebration event at Gary and Mary Wellness Senior Community
On the second chance I came back to the Gary and Mary Wellness Senior Community, I with my classmates held a Valentine celebration event for the seniors. We organized various activities that consist of various game stations, boutiques, a conversation stand to express love and life experiences, foods, and a photo booth.
We came to the senior center at 8am on February 11 to set up every division and all tools. We welcomed the seniors at 9:30 am and led them to join those activities. I was so eager and excited seeing a few seniors join us at the painting table. They enjoyed the time to create their art and tell us the stories of their youth and families. One of the ladies who I gave compliments on her beautiful painting of a garden filled with grass and flowers shared with me that she got a C+ at her secondary school. The neighbor lady moved on to a second canvas to draw a lotus. They engaged in a very happy and relaxing conversation with each other and with us.
I saw in their eyes and their faces brightened with laughs and smiles that expressed ease, acceptance, comfort and gratitude. I felt that time is precious by looking back to them and also my aunt now, all the gray hair and wrinkles reflected a life of devotion to family, career and fighting to earn a living. I also learned a lesson that: At any age of my lives, I could not avoid regretting the past and am ambitious to achieve my goal. But I should rather enjoy the journey while moving forward to the destination.
I loved to be a part of this team in which every single person really supports others and receives assistance back. The care and inclusion of the team spirit make us productively work together and ultimately reach the best final outcome. The last person who I appreciated the most is Professor Lewis who is the most generous and devoted professor I have ever met. Without her, we could not make this happen. I am impressed with the picture that portraits Professor Lewis. If I had recognized it early, I would have brought them home with me. The class allowed me to fulfill my passion with public service and enabled me to engage in diverse activities. More than the value of promoting my creativity and understanding of the housing-planning and end-of-life care system in San Diego city, it pulls me closer to observe older people’s housing living space and motivate me to grow my academic career in health-system management in order to build a better community for the elderly, orphanage, LGBTQ+, undocumented families, homeless, etc - who left behind or have not obtained maximum capacity in healthcare access and housing provision.