These past few weeks have been amazing and I’m so grateful for everything that we were able to do this quarter. I really didn’t expect that we’d get the chance to do so many in-person things. Even this past Wednesday at Casa de Mañana, when we were introducing ourselves and explaining why we were drawn to the LCS program, it brought me so much joy to realize that this whole experience went above and beyond my expectations. After these introductions, we were able to get to know the residents more personally and I was struck by how much learning they were still doing. Both of the women I talked to were passionate about different things: one talked at length about all the languages she knew and how some of the other residents have set up a French table during lunch to practice together. It was eye-opening to see how vibrant everyone was and also deeply comforting to envision what an active retirement community looks like. At the same time, the experience was profoundly different from our discussions regarding our trip to Barrio Logan. It is difficult to see what good, quality care looks like but to know that it isn’t possible for everyone. However, in both places, there was a spirit of community and of participation and engagement. In Barrio Logan, this is reflected in the artwork and activism of the people. At Casa de Mañana, this is represented by the active role that residents take in creating activities and programs. Being out in the world on these trips has sparked my understanding of what aging currently looks like and what still needs to be changed. I just want to say one last time: I am so so thankful to have been part of this cohort. In our conversation, the two residents from Casa de Mañana said there’s always someone to sit with at lunch. This simple description also applies to our cohort and all my classmates; from day one, everyone was so easy to talk to and I have truly learned so much.
I firmly believe the Love, Connect, Care event at the West Center will go down as one of my favorite experiences ever. I found exactly what had been missing from all of the classes I’ve taken so far at UCSD: a sense of action and real purpose. In planning for the event, I was uncertain at how it would be received and if elders in the community would want to participate because of everything that COVID has affected. As a result, I think somewhere down the line I became uncertain at what small interventions could actually do. In just one day, my hope was restored and I reevaluated my own attitude toward social change. During the event, I had the pleasure of chatting with one of the attendees and after joking around about the photobooth a little, he expressed his gratitude for the event and began to tear up. I was so surprised and thankful - thankful to him for sharing that moment with me and thankful to be part of the Life Course Scholars program. Being able to document the event as well with my camera was really special because I was able to capture some incredible things: some of the elders absolutely dominating at Jeopardy and the ring toss games, the excitement with the raffle prizes, and many people returning to the photobooth again and again. I really truly learned so much from that day and from the vibrant, funny, and lovely people that came by.
I consider myself so lucky to have gotten to visit the West center this past week. I was a little nervous because it was my first step back into in-person classes and I’ve gotten too used to Zoom University. Not only was it the first time our cohort got to meet in person, it was such a refreshing change of pace and reminded me exactly why I was so excited for this program in the first place. In almost all of my UCSD classes, I’ve been able to learn about different solutions and programs that aim to alleviate numerous health concerns. However, there was always a disconnect for me because I wasn’t sure how I fit into these initiatives. Getting to see the West Center and learn about the activities and services they provide finally gave me the chance to see for myself how change can be made. I was particularly interested in their senior volunteer program. It just makes sense to have volunteers and representatives that are also elders and they also know their desires and needs better than anyone. For some reason, the pervasive myths about aging tend to tell us that seniors need to be taken care of and not the other way around. This reminded me again of the intergenerational programs we discussed last week and how the whole goal is to built two-way connections between people of different generations. Just like anyone else, our elders have a lot to give others and also have the ability to take care of each other. Along with our class discussions about intergenerational programs, this senior volunteer program also reminded me of this week’s chapter from John Leland’s book about Helen and Howie. Helen was able to find purpose in her ability to help Howie and advocate for him. Her story shows us the complexity of aging: you can simultaneously need assistance with some tasks as you age but still provide assistance and support for others. In our constant desire to fit things into boxes, we sometimes lose sight of life’s complexity but it doesn’t have to be one or the other. I’m grateful for this program and to everyone we met at the West Center for showing me this.
First thing you should know about me: I’m the kind of person that is so constantly anxious that sometimes I don’t actually register or remember what exactly I am anxious about. In the past 3 weeks, I’ve been able to sort through some of these anxieties and come to the terms with the fact that part of it has to do with aging. Through this course, I’ve also learned exactly which parts about the myths of aging have made me pre-maturely anxious. It isn’t about the physical aspects which is a privilege in itself because I’ve been mostly healthy up to this point. Instead, it’s the uncertainty and the loneliness and the stretching on of time that has scared me the most. For some, coming to terms with exactly what scares you the most might seem like a bad thing. For me, it has lessened my burden because I firmly believe that in order to solve a problem, you have to fully understand it first. But not only has this course helped me to better understand myself, it has also shown me hope and insight into the kinds of solutions that can help our elders. Whether it’s creating ways to help people age in place or ensuring that there is affordable housing and services, it is really inspiring to see all of the work that people have already done. It makes me excited to join them and to make a difference for the elders in our community. Maybe most importantly, however, I’ve learned that the myths about aging are as inaccurate as the myth that all teenagers are disrespectful (or at least no less disrespectful than any other age group…). It’s a beautiful reminder that all of us, despite age or race or gender or sexuality, have so much more in common than we think.
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Mariyah ShadMariyah Shad is a Global Health major with a minor in Business and Anthropology. She is from Carlsbad, Archives
March 2022
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