Older Parents

Bob Bement

Bob Bement

Pattern Altitude
Gone West
Joined
Jun 27, 2005
Messages
1,832
Location
Vale, Oregon
Display Name
Bob Bement
Home Airfield
S49 Miller Memorial
Over on the PB they had a thread with a like title. I wrote something over there I wanted to share with my friends on the POA forum.

Thanks for that Kim. It started me thinking. We go for a flight and don't really think much of it, or a flight is postponed because of weather or someother problem. So what! we will go another day. We take it lightly, and there is always tomorrow.
I know you all have seen this video of mine before, but put yourself in Francis Hoopes shoes. You are in a nursing home, you have had a bad stroke and one side of you body no longer works, your speech is not working right. In your younger years you were a pilot and loved to fly your Piper Tri-Pacer all over.

This will be your final flight you will be going aloaft again just one more time, a thing you thought you would never get to do again. This is going to be a flight that you are really going to savor. The flight:

http://youtu.be/0fOqaU96iLI

 
My dad flew with me on the day my mom died; I believe that was the last time he flew with me, but we had some good airplane times before that. My mom could not fly with me because of her health, but she bragged on my pilot status.

We are losing that generation- almost done.
 
Bob,
I've seen it before and my opinion hasn't changed. Your'e still a class act and I'm honored to have met you. Thanks!

I was lucky enough to be able to take my father flying a few months before he passed. Carpe Diem.
 
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This is EXACTLY why I want to learn to fly. It is the ultimate celebration of life to me. There are things I can get through this life not doing and flying is definitely not one of them. Thanks for sharing.
 
gprellwitz said:
Bob,
I've seen it before and my opinion hasn't changed. Your'e still a class act and I'm honored to have met you. Thanks!

I was lucky enough to be able to take my father flying a few months before he passed. Carpe Diem.
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I agree, I'd bet it has a lot to do with his brother. One thing about living with Downs people is you learn a lot about what it means to be a good human. My 1st roommate on Catalina had a 17 yo daughter with downs, I learned a heck of a lot from her.
 
I didnt make it. My mother was a big supporter of my desire to fly. She even offered to pay for it....i declined. I buried her last friday. I wish now i had taken her up on the offer to pay. If i had i am sure she would have loved to take a ride. So ill say this to those of you who have the opportunity, take it.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2
 
Henning said:
I agree, I'd bet it has a lot to do with his brother. One thing about living with Downs people is you learn a lot about what it means to be a good human. My 1st roommate on Catalina had a 17 yo daughter with downs, I learned a heck of a lot from her.
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Man. You are right, there.
We had a downs syndrome boy in the church where I grew up. He was the most loving person I have ever known and his loving behavior seemed to rub off on people. He LIVED for the Special Olympics. It was his big day in the sun and because every participant earned a ribbon, he always wore his ribbon to church the next morning and got hugs and handshakes from every single person.
He's one of the oldest Down's Syndrome patients I know of. At 78 he is bed bound and failing fast but you still get a hug and a smile when you pop in to see him.
I wouldn't trade knowing him for anything I can think of.
 
My dad was my flying inspiration. He used to take me flying a lot when I was little in 172s. 182s, and 210s. I always thought I would solo at age 16--but we moved when I was 14. Flying for him was not convenient in the new place, and I thought my dream would die.

I finally took up flight training when I was 43. Got my license 2 years later, and I was able to take my dad up for a plane ride. He seemed to enjoy it, but 30 minutes after we landed, he didn't remember going flying with me. His dementia has progressed to the point that he is now in a nursing home, not speaking or recognizing much of his surroundings. I am really glad I got to take him flying when I did.
 
My parents are convinced they will die if they get in a plane with me (or anyone else, even the airlines) makes it hard to swallow living a 30hour drive away, they're pretty much retired but won't get in a plane to come visit, so I have to spend all my vacation just to see em'. They have the means and the time to come visit, but will not step foot on an airplane. :(
 
Erice said:
My dad was my flying inspiration. He used to take me flying a lot when I was little in 172s. 182s, and 210s. I always thought I would solo at age 16--but we moved when I was 14. Flying for him was not convenient in the new place, and I thought my dream would die.

I finally took up flight training when I was 43. Got my license 2 years later, and I was able to take my dad up for a plane ride. He seemed to enjoy it, but 30 minutes after we landed, he didn't remember going flying with me. His dementia has progressed to the point that he is now in a nursing home, not speaking or recognizing much of his surroundings. I am really glad I got to take him flying when I did.
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In a way mine was too. When we first immigrated, it was his relation we were visiting in Louisiana, almost 4 years old, who gave me my first 'hands on take it' of a plane and a boat. He would also take me to the small airport and we would look at planes; occasionally we would take the ride. Weiss field no longer exists.:nonod:
 
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