Make Use of Every Opportunity

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By Mike Milstein

Dorothy Mapelsdon, this week's conscious ager, admits to being '80 plus.' Actually, she's a young 81.

Dorothy, who grew up in Auckland, has lived in Nelson since 1963. She fondly remembers her important developmental years, especially at Auckland Girl's Grammar, where she was actively engaged in sport, which included being a member of the Auckland Provincial Cricket and Netball teams.

Dorothy's husband, Peter, passed on career advancement opportunities in favour of remaining in Nelson because Dorothy and he felt this would be a good place to raise their family. Their three daughters, who have followed her example by being involved in sport, have blessed them with four grandchildren. Dorothy is very active in community affairs. For example, she has been an elected member of the area health board; Chair of the Board at Sunnybank Home for Boys, which has since been shut down due to cuts in government funding; a volunteer in programs related to drug and alcohol addiction problems; and chair of a board that helps get financing for young people. In fact, Dorothy is especially passionate about helping young people, she gets great satisfaction in knowing that her work helps 'make all the difference to their lives.'

Dorothy says that she has no grand design to guide her life. In fact she got into her extensive community work simply because "one thing leads to another. You get involved in one thing and people get to know you and you get roped into another and so it goes on. I'm not the type of person to plan my future. I just take one thing at a time."

Dorothy is aware of the challenges of ageing. She has been quite healthy throughout life, but over the past few years she has been coping with physical challenges: arthritis, back problems, and, most recently, a broken vertebrae that is healing but more slowly than she would like. Dorothy's motto – "Just accept things and go on. Do what you can and get on with it!" Fortunately, she gets lots of encouragement to "get on with it" from Peter and her three daughters. When asked if she is ever fearful, she responded that when this happens she turns to her Roman Catholic faith and she is able to surmount her fears.

Dorothy's advice? "Make use of every opportunity that comes your way. Get into it. Don't worry about being a bit slower. Laughter also helps!"

Note: This article was published in The Leader, Nelson, NZ. It summarizes an interview aired on Nelson’s Fresh FM that was conducted by Annie Henry for the Conscious Ageing Network (CAN), which is sponsored by Age Concern, Nelson. If you want to share your thoughts with CAN or wish to know when interviews will be aired, send an email to agewell@xtra.co.nz.