The things you see

[Jess from VA]

I walk about 2 miles every day.  Today I took a different route, through another neighborhood.  I prefer the street to sidewalks, though speeders (50 in a 25) can make that hazardous.  So I'm walking along and see this very old lady (80 to 110), all grey and bent over, come out of her house with a cane and go for the iron grab rail on her sidewalk.  She is very unsteady and unstable, and only takes a couple steps then stops and regroups.  I'm an old Boy Scout, so I stop and watch, in case she needs help, or falls (which looks entirely likely).  There is a car already running in her driveway, so I assume someone is waiting for her in the drivers seat (can't see through the tint), who ought to get out and help her.  It takes her a full four minutes to make the 35 feet to the car.  It clearly is a huge effort for her.

And she hobbles to the drivers door, unlocks it and can barely make it into the seat.

I'm like... you have got to be kidding me!!

I'm going in the direction she will be leaving out of the hood, so I quickly get off the street up on the sidewalk (to be safe) and step out again.  I kept waiting for her to drive by, but never saw the car again.  

I'm not walking over there again.

[carolinarider09]

Yes, and I understand fully the lady's desires.   It is tough to give up ones freedom for your own personnel safety. 

As I age, I consider this often.  Driving a car, riding a motorcycle, using a firearm, and just basic odd jobs to keep the home intact.   

I have not climbed up on the metal roof of my house in a year or more, probably won't again even though a few things need to be "corrected".   

Growing old is hard for some of us because of this perceived loss of freedoms.  Then one considers the alternatives and one looks back and sees the past and one can smile.   

[0leman]

I watched my Mom go thru those "getting old" problems.  Finally was able to convince her at 94 that she shouldn't drive any more.  At that time she was still moving pretty good and did a lot of her own yard work, pulling weeds, planting bushes, etc.   No cane used at that time.

Right now we have a neighbor who is about 10 years older than I am.  He had really gone "down hill" in the last two years.  This is a guy who was walking 5-7 miles a day just 5 years ago.  Thankfully his son and wife have convinced him not drive. 

It is going to be hard giving up riding, thought know it will happen one day. 

[old2soon]

     I am NOT driving the cage near as much and I have NOT thrown a leg over  in more time than I care to contemplate!  And as a former over the road driver-3200 3800 miles a week stepping away from driving completely Will be DIFFICULT when That TIME finally arrives full blown and impossible to ignor!  And That time WILL arrive whether or not I want it to git here!  Gittin old aint fer wusses! RIDE SAFE.

[Flat 6 man]

In my old neighborhood, a police motorcycle officer was killed by an old lady that pulled out in front of him.

[Jess from VA]

It is tough to give up ones freedom for your own personnel safety.

She looked way beyond any ability to safely drive.  And beyond any personal freedom issue.  I have no idea if she lives alone or has grocery and other store help, it could be necessity, and that would be sad if there's no family or friends to help her.  She looked like making breakfast in her own kitchen could be a challenge, let alone driving.

My 93yo mom still drives (one moving violation in her whole life), but there have been times when the docs told her not to following surgery and other medical things.  And she gets (family) rides to Ann Arbor U of M hospital and clinics because of heavy traffic (and/or bad weather), but goes to the stores and other places like her physical therapy place when she's chipper no problem.  She knows her limitations.  (and one eye is macular degenerated, but good 20/20 corrected in the other, which passed the DMV testing).  

Go mom.  

[G-Man]

When my Mom first moved down to Delray Beach, Fl to Palm Greens Condo 2, she was in the car with a friend of hers and they were heading down Military Trail.  As they approached Lake Ida Rd, the car never slowed down and they went right through the red light.  They continued down the road approaching Atlantic Ave which is a very large and busy intersection, and again, the car just kept going at full speed approaching the intersection.  My Mom said she white knuckled the arms rest as they went right through the intersection and another red light.  When Mom regained her composure she said to her friend "You know you just went through another red light".  Her friend said "Oh, am I driving?"

 

[Jess from VA]

That's funny. 

Me, I don't like to be a passenger in anyoneelse's car.  I often get the brake foot going in the passenger seat. 

I had my first car the day I hit 16, and remained the principle driver with others for the rest of my life.  And I got used to being the driver.  Sometimes I make others nervous when I'm driving, and that's OK, I'm not.  I just never got used to being a passenger.

One trip to FL in HS, my dad got tired and I was allowed to drive at night in south GA and FL (I-75).  Dad woke up after awhile and asked how fast I was going?  70 dad.  Slow down to 60.  OK dad (your car your rules).  Brand new '67 Impala.  Which just happened to be the identical car I took drivers ed in.