19/100: Elderly couples

[melluransa]

I had the pleasure of participating in a surprise birthday party for one of the elderly clients at the speech-language clinic. All the other elderly clients come on that day, and they socialize in group therapy. For the party, we invited the spouses and everyone. The room was crowded with cute little old ladies with their sweater jackets and colorful jewelry, and their husbands with button-down shirts tucked into their khakis. There was yummy food. We even played a little trivia game and chatted. It was lovely.

It was so sweet to see the clients and their spouses. Some of the clients have paralysis and paresis on one side of their bodies which made getting the food difficult. Their spouses would get the food and ask what the other spouse wanted, or help their spouse with a supporting arm as they went together to the table with the food.



It was neat too, because I could watch the communication of the clients and their respective spouses. These clients have language impairments resulting from strokes, so some of them can't talk. One of them can't say anything but Elvis song lyrics, but s/he has control over the ones s/he wants to say, and says them with different inflection. Another one can't talk at all, can't understand any language or speech at all (but keep in mind that intelligence is intact -- only the language areas in the brain were affected by the stroke).

Despite all this, they and their spouses have little techniques for communicating, and read each other so well that words aren't even needed. And they stayed together, despite the huge, life-changing impact of one spouse having a sudden language impairment. Not all couples can stay together when something like that happens, but I'm glad that so far, my experience has been with those who have.

It made me happy to think they've lived with each other for so long that they just know each other, even when one of them can't say words anymore. I'm going to have to excuse myself for a moment. I think my heart is melting and I need to find a container to catch it in.

Comments

[kseenaa.livejournal.com]

Old couples ARE awesome. They really are. And should be an inspiration for everyone. :-)

[melluransa.livejournal.com]

They are an inspiration! I feel like the world of young people goes so fast sometimes, and that the beauty of age is definitely unnoticed.

[steinsgrrl.livejournal.com]

Aww, seriously! Those are some amazing and lovely stories. <3

[melluransa.livejournal.com]

Yes they are! I'm compiling story after story in my heart. I'm so lucky to work with people, I guess. Sometimes I despise it, but other times I love it. Like with this. :3

[zeph317toho.livejournal.com]

This was so sweet! It's wonderful to see and hear about couples like this!

[melluransa.livejournal.com]

Isn't it? It's very heartwarming and sweet.

[th-tinie.livejournal.com]

Awesome post, and wonderful reminder of the benefits of struggling together (with friends, family, and partner) through life. Be less selfish, a little more giving. You get more benefits than you can always predict, maybe... so lovely this post. Thank you.

[melluransa.livejournal.com]

Yes, it's so beautiful to see people stick together despite struggles. It takes a special approach of patience and giving, rather than demanding and taking. And you not only benefit yourself, but the other person and the relationship overall! It's hard sometimes (I can't even imagine how hard) but if they can work through it together, they can grow from it and develop a stronger bond. Very beautiful indeed!