The nice thing about writing a column is meeting interesting people and this week I was fortunate enough to meet Gordon Scott. Lori Lackey from Metcalfe Gardens made him welcome and gave him a room and meals for his stay there and invited me down to interview him. He was an absolutely delightful man with a sparkle in his eye and under the calm exterior there lurked a great sense of humour.
For those of you who haven't met Gordon, let me say he is a very determined 84 year old who does not have the appearance of an athlete. I was expecting something quite different when you consider the enormous challenge he has set for himself. Gordon is under six feet tall and weighs approximately l20 lbs. and pulls a trailer that weighs about 280 lbs. This will give you some idea of the grueling days he puts in. I asked Gordon some questions about himself and his goals and the following is our conversation.
Q.What made you want to take on this challenge? A. About four years ago I had an attack of angina. I was 80 years old. My doctor recommended an angiogram that revealed 90% blockage. The cardiologist recommended surgery and I decided I would try other methods of getting my health under control.
I changed my eating habits by eliminating fats and meat and also started exercising. I
went back to the doctor one year later and my blockage had not increased I decided to try an infusion process called Chelation Therapy. This therapy got rid of the calcium build up and I was much improved.
I increased my physical activity to walking 8 km before breakfast during the summer and use my exercise machine during the winter months.
Q. When did you decide to take on the challenge of walking through Southwestern Ontario. A. Two years ago when I developed my walking capabilities to the point where I felt I could take on a larger challenge. Once I had accomplished walking 40 km in a day, I then decided to do the road trip.
Q. Why did you pick War Amps as your charity of choice. A. The Amputee Programme was very important to me and the cost of fitting children with these prosthesis is very high and I wanted to help.
Q. Can you tell me something of your background? A. I joined the Argyle & Sutherland Infantry and was in the battle of Caen Airport and Falaise Gap in France during World War II where I nearly lost both my legs. I was discharged in l945 and attended Teacher's College and taught elementary school until I retired at 58.
After that I bought a farm where I raised beef cattle and I still live there. I am a member of the local Library Board and the Policing Support Committee.
Q. How far have you walked up to now? A. Approximately 800 km.
Q. How many nights have you spent on the road with your tent? A. As many times as I have slept in a bed.
Q. Where does your trip end? A. When I walk in my back door on my farm which is east of Warsaw.
Q. By then how many kms will you have walked? A. Approximately l500 kms.
Q. What advice would you give to a senior who wants to take on a challenge such as yours? A. Don't be discouraged by contrary advice by people who might want you to do otherwise, and preparation is essential as far as diet and exercise is concerned.
I would like to congratulate Metcalfe Gardens on raising $500.00 towards Gordon's Charity and a big thanks for giving me the opportunity to meet him. GOOD LUCK GORDON, I'M GLAD YOU CAME OUR WAY.
Dorothy Wilson is a freelance writer specializing in senior's issues. To contact Dorothy
please write to London This Week, 369 York Street, London, Ont. My website www.seniorsoapbox.com is up and running but far from complete. Any suggestions as to what you would like to see would be helpful.
No reproduction of this column is permitted without the consent of the writer.
Please email ideas@senioryears.com with any comments, questions or suggestions for Dorothy.
For previous editions of Soapbox, visit article index.
Advertising Information 
