We visited Bayside for our second time as light rain fell in the morning. I was aware that we were to Zumba with the seniors there, and there were a few questions in my head. Firstly, I wondered if we will be seeing the seniors that we have met in our first visit. Secondly, I was curious to find out if I improved my dancing skills from last time; I assumed that having some experience under my belt would help me. It turns out, I only got worse.
It is difficult to coordinate my upper body with my legs, and when I think I am moving my limbs vibrantly and broadly just like the instructor, in reality they're moving only a few centimeters, almost imperceptible by eye. Anyways, my joints were more lubricated after the session, and I felt like I got some exercise. After a group photo, we got to work.
We created a poster as we did at Casa, and similarly, the seniors gave us very solid information on how they believed the community can become more age-friendly and more. One of the ideas our group received was to create benches in the playground so that seniors can sit and watch the children play. It is such a simple idea, but it really makes a huge difference. Just one piece of wood on rods can create an special opportunity for both generations to come together; I realized once again that answers to many seemingly difficult problems can come from the simplest solutions. We also talked about creating more traffic signs that warn drivers to slow down for seniors and children, and afterwards we delved into a tangent, discussing the importance of unity in a community, politics, and others. I learned a lot about the senior we worked with; what a life she had lived and is still living. I was filled with joy to hear that there were seniors like her who were so active in the community relentlessly fighting for justice for the underserved, such as the homeless. There exists a stereotype that elders can't contribute to society; she is one of the countless examples that undermines this stigma completely. The Bayside visit was, therefore, another invaluable learning opportunity for all the scholars.
It is difficult to coordinate my upper body with my legs, and when I think I am moving my limbs vibrantly and broadly just like the instructor, in reality they're moving only a few centimeters, almost imperceptible by eye. Anyways, my joints were more lubricated after the session, and I felt like I got some exercise. After a group photo, we got to work.
We created a poster as we did at Casa, and similarly, the seniors gave us very solid information on how they believed the community can become more age-friendly and more. One of the ideas our group received was to create benches in the playground so that seniors can sit and watch the children play. It is such a simple idea, but it really makes a huge difference. Just one piece of wood on rods can create an special opportunity for both generations to come together; I realized once again that answers to many seemingly difficult problems can come from the simplest solutions. We also talked about creating more traffic signs that warn drivers to slow down for seniors and children, and afterwards we delved into a tangent, discussing the importance of unity in a community, politics, and others. I learned a lot about the senior we worked with; what a life she had lived and is still living. I was filled with joy to hear that there were seniors like her who were so active in the community relentlessly fighting for justice for the underserved, such as the homeless. There exists a stereotype that elders can't contribute to society; she is one of the countless examples that undermines this stigma completely. The Bayside visit was, therefore, another invaluable learning opportunity for all the scholars.