Resilience is an Ageless Strength

by Tracey Kirstein, PT, CAPS- Abilities Specialist/Aging in Place Coordinator for Brad-Core

Before we turn the calendar page to 2022, I feel compelled to acknowledge some of the highlights and struggles since Covid 19 came into our lives, recognizing that we must give credit to our ability to demonstrate resilience. What is this super power called resilience? Oxford defines resilience as the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness. I would add that resilience requires no small amount of courage. Is resilience fueled by desire, hope, spiritual belief, or just plain determination? Is resilience doled out only to those who are driven economically, socially, or professionally? I am certain not. Whatever fuels our resilience to start a new relationship or to end one, to land a new position for work or to begin the journey of retirement, or to learn to navigate a health crisis, resilience enables us to surge forward anew, into the next hour, the next week, the next chapter of our lives despite the challenges we face. As our third pandemic year is quickly approaching, we can each share at least one recent experience that could not have been anticipated prior to Covid, losses that came too soon, pain that may still linger, or a fearfulness that emerged and remains present. It is my hope that each of us finds our own recipe for resilience at every age in our lives.  

Witnessing someone’s resilience is immensely powerful for me. I have had many such experiences but the one that I want to share right now brings together so many important aspects of my life and my work. It began literally on my first day with Brad-Core/Humanism in Building’s Team. It was the very first call that came in that day, and it was for me. This began my introduction to the incomparable Mrs. A. What started with a Comprehensive Home Safety Assessment, resulted in the construction of home safety features that included an outdoor lift with a canopy for this client who, in a split second after a fall, had become wheelchair bound for several months due to a severe lower extremity fracture. Over several home visits, the home modifications that were made would serve both the injured client and her spouse well, as now it would be quite easy to load the groceries from the car directly onto the lift (part of Brad-Core’s design), no longer having to carry heavy packages up the stairs, especially in inclement weather. I clearly understood the determination, courage, and commitment of this client to recover, and truly witnessed her resilience culminating this past week when I had the privilege of listening to her sing with her musical group at Senior Source. I saw her standing unsupported for the first time. “Mrs. A” embodies the three main  ingredients of highly resilient people as written by Nick Wignall in his article for Medium 2019, “acceptance, purpose, and flexibility. ….Importantly, we know that these are not simply genetic gifts some lucky few are born with- they are skills all of us can learn to build.”  

Mrs. A’s acceptance of her accident, knowing her purpose for home modifications and having the flexibility that was required to navigate her change in functional status helped make her recovery a successful one. We must not overlook the support of her family. Mrs. A, like many others, has chosen to continue to make her residence her lifelong home. The actor, Ben Affleck, makes a profound comment when interviewed in the December 2021/January 2022 edition of the Wall Street Journal Magazine. He is asked “What is the one famous movie line you live by? He answered, from the movie The Shawshank Redemption, “Get busy living or get busy dying.”  Mrs. A has certainly chosen to “get busy living.” Ben Affleck is further asked “Where would you most like to buy a one-way ticket to? Take a second to guess. He said, “Home”.  

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy resilient New Year