Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Roger Ebert’s fall

Roger Ebert, writing about diminishing mobility and a recent fall out of bed:

For years we live in innocence. We walk around all day and never give it a moment’s thought. For years, every single day in tolerable weather, I woke up around 6:30 and walked for 90 minutes around the Lincoln Park ponds. I wore a pedometer and aimed for 10,000 steps a day. Some days I topped 25,000. I loved it.

Now Chaz asks why I don’t wear my pedometer. Its count would be too depressing.

A fall from grace (Chicago Sun-Times)
“For years we live in innocence”: I had an eye exam last month and remember saying, when my optometrist praised my maculae, “I guess at some point you don’t take these things for granted.”

Roger Ebert is a national treasure. I hope he feels better soon.

comments: 2

Elaine said...

I gather than if we live long enough, the maculae behave less well. My mother-in-law (now 87 and a heavy smoker for 30+ years) has just been diagnosed with macular degeneration, and treatment on the worst eye has begun. The retinal specialist may be able to slow it down with injections of Avastin (now controversial again.) ALL of her interests involve her vision...

There is a vitamin supplement that is recommended (read about it on the AMDF website.) I think I'll start taking it at some point. I've gotten used to the 'macular pucker' but there are times it's still annoying.

We are concluding that at some point, life becomes a series of holding actions and downhill slides...but what are the alternatives?

Michael Leddy said...

The alternatives? Much worse!