I walked into to teach an exercise class at a senior living community and noticed a new face—a gentleman in a wheelchair, accompanied by his daughter and granddaughter. His name was Ron. They had just moved him into the community and encouraged him to join our exercise class. After they left, I sat down next to Ron to learn more about him.
With tears in his eyes, Ron told me how everything he once knew was gone. The home where he raised his family had been sold. His physical abilities had diminished, confining him to a wheelchair. He was grieving the loss of his independence and the life he once had.
I couldn’t take away his grief, but I put my hand on his arm, looked him in the eye, and said, “I’m so glad you’re here.”
I decided to switch things up in class that day. We played noodle hockey in chairs, with two teams trying to get a balloon through a goal using pool noodles as hockey sticks. It required teamwork, but more importantly, it brought out smiles and laughter.
I watched as Ron immersed himself in the game, smiling, laughing, and even scoring a goal—earning high-fives from his teammates. For a brief moment, he experienced joy, connection, and a sense of belonging.
Did we improve his speed, power, strength, or balance that day? No.
But did we create a moment of joy, connection, and human interaction? Yes.
Sometimes, it’s about prioritizing psychology over physiology. If we can give someone a moment of pure connection and happiness, even for just a little while, it’s a win for their well-being.
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