I was traveling in New England with a senior group from the UK. We were in Rhode Island on the Cliff Walk and most of the walk is easy on a paved sidewalk. However when we got to the portion where the path turns into large flat rocks it became mildly challenging for most people but for one 80-something lady it was mildly terrifying, especially in her ”Judy Garland” pumps.
I offered her the option of detouring off the walk so I could take her to the waiting bus a couple of blocks away. She declined, my offer, “No thank you, I think I can do it,” and so we walked at her pace across these randomly placed and spaced rocks. I held onto her the whole time and so did another guest.
She expressed nervousness and sometimes fear of slipping and falling but was insistent that she could make it and wanted to continue. I was so impressed and moved by her determination that I continued with her, thinking to myself…”This lady wants to do this so badly that I will carry her on my back if I have to!”
Finally we got to the paved portion and everyone was relieved and cheered for her and she was glowing with pride and excitement. I breathed a sigh of relief.
At the end of the tour, in her evaluation of the whole trip she told me that the day that we walked on the rocks in Newport was the highlight of her trip!
It gave me great joy to have been there for/with her on a day when she conquered a challenge that she obviously would never have attempted in another circumstance, and that was so important to her self-esteem. It is these kinds of events that make my job so rewarding and worthwhile.
Hats off to Barbara!
Thanks,
Alice Bowman