“I hope I can keep attending classes till forever.” Ye Aizhen, a retired individual at the age of 75, is a heart disease patient. Despite her advanced age, she continues to demonstrate a strong passion for learning and a commitment to self-care.
In 2006, during a check-up, Aizhen was diagnosed with an irregular heart rate by a private doctor and was referred to a government clinic for treatment. Although her body did not show any changes or discomfort, she occasionally had concerns and worries. Whenever she felt anxious, Aizhen knew how to find ways to alleviate it. She often took walks in the park, went shopping, and relaxed to uplift her spirits. After several years of stable condition with medication, her doctor suggested that she participate in rehabilitation programs offered by the Community Rehabilitation Network to further manage and improve her heart condition.
Having been involved in the Community Rehabilitation Network for over a decade, Aizhen actively faces the challenges of her illness by participating in cardiac rehabilitation courses and self-care workshops. She is also eager to share her experiences with others. When asked about her favorite activity among these programs, Aizhen finds it difficult to decide and says she loves them all. She loves them to such an extent that she even wants to participate again and again, in order to deepen her memories.
As a retired person, Aizhen has plenty of free time. She hopes to be supervised and maintain a habit of active exercise to strengthen her heart and lower cholesterol levels. Therefore, most of the activities she engages in are exercise classes. “I feel more diligent when I’m supervised by the instructor during exercise, so I really enjoy the exercise classes. I’ve learned movements like squats, and now I do them at home too.” With her well-practiced routine, she currently holds a record of 180 squats.
Participating in activities offered by CRN has brought many rewards and changes to Aizhen. Apart from establishing a regular exercise routine, she also practices mindfulness at home. Mindfulness is something she learned from the “Appreciating Life” expressive arts group, and she expresses her fondness for the course, as well as her gratitude towards the instructors for their companionship and teachings. For Aizhen, every opportunity to attend classes is valuable. She desires to use her mind more and keep her brain active and healthy. Through Aizhen’s example, we can see that learning throughout life is not just a belief but a way of life that transcends age and physical limitations.