Squirrel

Canadian Geese flying over Greenwood Cemetery

I was taking pictures of the cemetery for a story we are working on and at one point I looked up and saw hundreds of Canadian Geese honking on by!

PC week 10, Tai Chi at the Wellness Community

Vince Gilhool, 63, is a participant of a Tai-Chi class at the Wellness Community in Fairmount Park. Gilhool is a survivor of cancer and had tumors on his neck and tongue. He is currently in remission.

"To my mind, the Chinese system has figured out the best way to relax the body. The movement is beautiful and it's relaxing just to watch. I'm practicing memory, balance, relaxation, and concentration. It's all of the things an older person is concerned about. Use your body to perform the right movements at the right time - gently, smoothly, and with maximum openness and comfort level. I do it whenever I get the chance to do it. I go to 4 classes a week.
My life before (cancer), I was going through the motions....(Cancer) changes your view about everything. The stakes have never been higher in your life than after going through something like that. I had no choice, when you're up against it and you have no choice then you do what you have to do.
I remember going to a craft show with friends (before treatment). I felt so filled with emotion that I just started to cry. I was absolutely terrified - I remember pacing the house and my wife (Nancy) asked what was wrong. I told her that I was really scared. I don't remember exactly what she said but she made me feel that I was not alone and I felt much better.
It gives you more of a sense of control. It's learning to settle down. It's an amazing art. The idea is that when you're walking, you're thinking about centering your weight and setting up every move. "

PC week 9, JCC Klein's In Home Support program

May Horwitz, 86, prepares her lunch during a visit from social worker Gail Silverberg.

"I got the Meals on Wheels and that is very helpful. I also get the housekeeping because I cannot manage it all myself. They got me bathroom equipment and a new toilet."

Gail - "When she got out of the hospital and I came over I noticed that the bathroom was not very safe. So I said to her 'you need to get safety equipment.'"

"Gail is always available to me. Whatever I need, she will try her best to get it for me. One of my daughters lives close by. But my family can't always give me all the things I need all the times. I hate to ask them for things, so I ask Gail! I'm so happy to be here and I'm trying my best to be as independent as I can be."

Gail - "And that's why we're helping you, so that you can continue that way."

"A very good friend in the building died last night. She was only 30 years old. I was with her yesterday and she died in the night. I went downstairs this morning and saw her father and he told me. It's very hard for a parent to bury a child, it's not meant that way. This is a terrible day." Sylvia Greenberg, 82, shares with social worker Randi Innamarato.

Lee Gibson, social worker, and Alice Getzes, 81,

Lee - "I think some of the conditions are so sad, but I look for ways to deal with them. Most of it is so simple, we bring people meals after an injury. But sometimes people have more problems, they are homebound, they might be getting evicted, etc, and they call us and we'll go right out (and help).

Alice - "Life is too short, there's no use in sitting and worrying. You have to go on. "

Alice had knee surgery July '07 and needed help around the house. She called the JCC Klein Branch for help and they sent Lee Gibson over to assess Alice's situation.

"The operation was a little bit more than it should have been. (the surgeon broke a bone in her leg) Housekeeping, therapy, cleaning, they stepped in and helped me every day. Then when I moved in Jan. '08 I cracked my vertebrae and I needed help again. I couldn't have done it without you. (saying to Lee)"

Joe Golden, 81, has been a client of the JCC Klein Branch's In-Home Support program. The program caters to seniors who are homebound whether it is a result of a medical issue, depression due to the loss of a spouse, or something temporary.

"The meals are free and I don't have to go out. It's a hassle for me to stand in line. (Joe has trouble standing for long periods of time.)
My parents were Polish. I was born in Cuba, a lot of people were starving in Poland and they emigrated to Cuba. After the Stock Market crashed, the US was closed so we went to Cuba. In 1951 we came here."