Age no barrier to advocacy

Central Otago Grey Power committee member Eileen Rawlings  drives her mobility scooter on to the...
Central Otago Grey Power committee member Eileen Rawlings drives her mobility scooter on to the driveway of her Alexandra home. PHOTO: JONO EDWARDS
A 95-year-old Alexandra woman refuses to be a ``sick old lady'' as she represents the region at Grey Power's national annual meeting in Palmerston North next week.

Eileen Rawlings, who is on the Central Otago committee, expects to be the oldest attendee at the event, as she was at the past two she attended.

The three-day conference will cover issues affecting the elderly.

Central Otago Grey Power president Margaret Hill and secretary Margaret Lorenz will also attend.

Mrs Rawlings has a 27-year history with Grey Power and said she was passionate about what it stood for.

``I will not keep quiet next week if something needs my attention, and they know that.

``Not many older people will accept responsibility. They think because their years are old that they are old, but I say no.''

She was president of the Central Otago chapter for two and a-half years and was much older than most members, she said.

Mrs Rawlings lives independently and still cooks for herself.

``My body is trying to tell me I'm ageing, and my head isn't, and the two are having an argument that nobody wins. I'm not going to be a sick old lady.

``Last time I went to the doctor he said he was utterly surprised at how well I am.''

An issue she has pushed for is making mobility scooters more accessible.

She is also supportive of a push to put larger labels on items like prescription medication packaging, which will be discussed at the meeting.

``And, for example, in the paper there are a lot of advertisements that we can't read.''

More people should stop and think about issues which affected older people, she said.

Mrs Rawlings still enjoyed the group and planned to stay a member for as long as she could.

jono.edwards@odt.co.nz

 

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