Posted 10-15-19
On May 30, 1982, Cal Ripken Jr. took the field for the Baltimore Orioles and played every single game until September 19, 1998. In doing so, he broke a record most figured was unbreakable: Lou Gehrig’s streak 2,130 games from June 1, 1925 to April 30, 1939. The then third place streak record holder is nearly 1,000 games fewer! I have always had a strong work ethic, but l miss a day of work every couple years. Cal went 16+ without missing a day. That will surely never be matched in this day of huge contracts and matching egos that will not allow for playing any less than at 100%… so your stats stay nice and perky for the next contract. (What on earth is an oblique or a hamstring anyway??? Apparently Cal & Lou either didn’t have them or couldn’t pull or tear them?!?!?!)
In some ways, Lou’s was a bit more impressive since he played in an era with much less medical skill than we now enjoy. People in the 1920’s and 30’s routinely DIED from things we take cures for granted now…and Lou played on. Three weeks after Lou retired, on his birthday (June 19, 1939), the Yankee slugger nicknamed “The Iron Horse” flew to the Mayo Clinic where he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). He played through ALS as long as he could. In June of 1941, shortly before the United States entered WWII, Gehrig was gone. The medical community has since nicknamed ALS as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
How about this for a streak? Unless I have missed one, my stepdad has been to the nursing home for all three meals every day for a year and five days. Subtracting about 20 for the time he could only go once a day to the behavioral health hospital to work through her meds over Christmas last year, he has still been there every day and is nearing 1,100 visits in that time frame. I have only been there around 250-300 times in that time frame, and certainly not every day. Before you brand me as something special, remember the unsung heroes like John who do much more.
Want an even more impressive streak??? Also remember the faithful spouses and family who stay home every single minute of every day with a loved one with dementia, 24/7/365 as “36 hour day” caretakers. Remember those days when you had a toddler and you couldn’t use the toilet in peace? Yes, like that times every moment of every day. It is no wonder why these folks end up sick. Exhaustion, mentally and physically.
So keep these folks in your thoughts and prayers today and every day. They are a big reason why we are doing our support group (starts tonight in Springfield, Mo.). They are the reason SeniorAge does the Stress Busting program for caregiver’s self-care education. All of you, whether visiting nursing homes or going it alone with your loved one are heroes. You are why I write this little blog and why we have our programs. You are worth our little contribution. Thank you!
#EndALZ
Update: Mom’s great day streak continued over the weekend. Her medical team is happy where she is going and she continues to smile through it all. 🙂 Thank you for your many prayers on her behalf.
Note: Not the Ray Stevens’ kind of streak…