One of the privileges of being a journalist is that I get to meet amazing people every day. They allow me to come into their lives for short periods of time. Sometimes we meet because of a tragic reason. Sometimes it is because of an event that is going to occur or has occurred. Sometimes it is a mission or a message that needs to be told. Regardless of the reason, I have been allowed to be on the front lines of many stories for six amazing years. The last couple days was no exception. Yesterday, I was able to sit down with people who have Multiple Sclerosis. The Oak Clinic, located in Green, Ohio invited me to meet the doctors and the President of the Ohio Buckeye Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Association. The Oak Clinic was being awarded a plaque from the National MS Association because of their charitable work and dedication to the disease. It was a breath of fresh air to be actually sit down with doctors who still believe that medicine is supposed to be hands on and provided for people who do not have the money. People are seen regardless of cash and the same amount of time is given regardless of monetary worth. Most MS clinics see about 40 patients a day. The Oak Clinic sees about 8-10 because they give each patient about 2.5 hours with the doctor. Patients were sitting around the table after the plaque ceremony calling their doctors heroes. One patient who is also a nurse at the clinic said she used to be wheelchair bound, but is now walking because of their constant care. It was a blessing to experience this hands-on, approach that I have not seen in a very long time.
Today, I was able to sit down with a woman who turned 101 today! What wisdom she had and she was sharp! She wants things to go back to the way they used to. She thinks our society just moves too fast and we miss out on real relationships. She emphasized several times that she does not like how fast fall into bed with men these days. She thinks they should date and shake hands at the door. She was very cute. She cooked until she was 100. The only reason she is in a nursing home is because she broke her hip. She misses her independence and being able to cook meals for her family. She loves to stay busy and keeps her mind going all the time. She said these are reasons for her long life. "All the days just happened and now here I am," she laughed. She said she does not feel 101. She doesn't look it either!
