I’m in Ottawa this week to celebrate a milestone… my mother’s 90th birthday.
What’s most remarkable to me is not that she is celebrating 90 years (although that in itself is a wonderful milestone), but that she is up and walking… and walking very well, thank you!
The reason for my amazement is that mum fell and broke her hip earlier this year. Now when an 89 year old breaks her hip it is normal to expect that person’s overall health to suffer a decline. It’s also very common for that person to not walk again. Indeed we thought it very likely that she would be confined to a wheelchair for the rest of her life.
Heading out for lunch.
After Mum broke her hip, the physio staff at the Manor told my sister they would have her walking again. We were doubtful, but to their credit, they have achieved this goal.
As you can see from the photo above, mum is very mobile with the aid of her walker. And even without the walker, with a cane and an arm to lean on, she managed very well.
To coincide with my visit we had our annual meeting with the care team at the Salvation Army Grace Manor, which has been her home for the past four years. I am delighted with the caring attitude of all the staff at the Manor. From the activity director to the nursing staff to the support staff, they all show a great deal of care and affection for Mum.
An indication of this was the staff person who we encountered at the elevator on our way out. She stopped to chat and reached over to straighten Mum’s collar, then gave her a gentle pat on the arm and wished her a pleasant lunch. Small gestures, but indicative of this overall attitude that seems to pervade the place.
Two of my siblings and I had a delightful lunch with her.
A delightful lunch out with Mum a few days after she turned 90.
I will see her a few more times this visit… tomorrow my brother and I will pick her up and take her to my brother-in-law’s birthday dinner, then the next day we’ll all have a 90th birthday celebration at the Manor with other family and friends.
She is doing much better than I imagined she was. This is very heartening. Some of the credit goes to my brother, a lot of it goes to the caring staff at the Grace Manor, and a great deal of it goes to my younger sister who is most actively involved in her care.
