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PAGE 24, WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1989 Instant aging shocks shoppers By Trudie Zavadovics Walkamile in my shoes' is a cliche used by many yet experienced by few. Through Other Eyes' is a workshop that enables partici- pants to experience some of the invisible handicaps' brought about, primarily, by aging. "This is deliberately done to be dramatic," says Oshawa council- lor Nancy Diamond, the work- shop instructor who has been involved"with the program since it began in 1987. "It's instant aging. Usually these things go wrong gradually, not overnight." 'Through Other Eyes,' funded by the Ministry of Coimunity and Social Services, is organized by that ministry's public educa- tion and program promotion unit. It has been ranked among the world's best such programs and is now presented in New Zealand. A recent workshop took place in the Oshawa Centre, when Campeau Corn. staff, some store owners and media representa- tives saw how the mall is able, or unable, to accommodate seniors. The 20 participants, in an empty store just before store opening hours, learned from Dia- mond that "Twenty years ago the median age was 25. Twenty years from now, it will be 38. We have set up our world for physi- cally able people. "Hearing starts té go down in volume *and pitch at age 25. An 80-year-old gets only one sixth the light of a 20-year-old. The lens hardens and causes severe clouding. They see colors dif- ferently. There is a reaction to glare." The world we were about to enter was one of fog and con- fusion. We began to apply the handicaps that, in years to come, will not be necessary. First to be applied was a water wing on one elbow, then a weigh t for one wrist and a weight for the alternate ankle. This simu- lates arthritis and a progressiv-i slowing-down. Then came the ear EMPLOYEE of a store in the Oshawa Centre wears not-so-hidden handicaps, such as goggles, waterwings, weights, glasses and cane, to experience life in the slow lane, 'Through Other Eyes.'Feerspho:u plugs to impair the hearing; then the glasses, yellowed and fogged, each one different, some simulat- ing cataracts, some the effects of a stroke or some with annoying brown spots which also come with age. In my case, once the lasses were on, I was ne. I had to remove my own glasses in order to wear them,,and I'm sure I was legrally blind.' Thelast piece of apparatus consisted of two pair of surgical gloves; two gloves for each hand to simulate the loss of sense of touch. From this point, participants were instructed to get a pen and paper and prepare a shopping li., Without the assistance of photographer Chris Bovie, I'd have been lost right there. I couldn't find a pencil, pen, any- thing. He lent me his pen until he noticed mine stuck behind my ear. "Now make your shopping list;" said Diamond. "You are a senior citizen on a fixed budget. Your grandson has offered to e.rve you to the Oshawa Centre for a few things. He will pick you up in 45 minutes." Or did she say half an hour? e shopping list consisted of a birthday card, wrapping paper and birthday present for a one- year-old granddaughter, potato peeler, paper towels, navy-blue thread and panty hose. We were ready to go, each equipped with a cane. Personally I, felt like throwing it on more than one occasion. Our shopping spree took place in Eatons through the efforts of John McHardy, store administ- ration manager, also one of the participants. We had to select and carry the items, but we didn't actually have to purchase them. I started at the second floor of Eatons and selected a gift, under $15, for my one-year-old grand- daughter. 1, like many of the other participants,just looked for pink. That's the only color I could see. I picked up one thing, proud I had accomplished my first mis- sion, ,when another participant said, "You can't get that, it's $42. I politely thanked her and, grit- ting my teeth, put it back and started again. Everyone was on their way to the next floor and Diamond asked if I'd like to join them. I was determined to get the pre- sent so I continued. It was obvi- ous she was waiting for me and I was growing increasingly nerv- ous and cranky. I politely told her I could cope and off she went. Mission acomplished, I was off to the basement. (The shopping list was designed so shoppers would have to travel the entire store.) I grabbed my potato pee- ler, paper towels and a kind customer helped me with the thread. At this point, as things kept dropping to the floor, logic kicked in and I asked for a bag. I was informed that since I hadn't actually purchased the mer- chandise, I was not allowed to have a bag. Normally, this-would have been a perfect opportunity for an argument, but I had no timne. EXCHANGING glasses for goggles, Trudie Zavadovics vnakes tracks for one'of her favorite pastimes, shop- ping, but 'Through Other Eyes.' Free Press photo I was on the last leg of my shopping' expedition. To the nylons. As I was busy sifting through the nylons, someone tap- Ped me on the shoulder and said, 'A senior citizen wouldn't be looking through black mesh." I grunted, "Oh, and proceeded to another area. There were rows and rows of tall, rows and rows of short no medium. Finally I said "Wiiat the hell," and grab- bed a pair, regardless of size or color. The paper and the card were last. I got the paper which said 'Love' in pink letters and some kind of pink card and went back to the designated area. Five of my fellow participants were already finished. Now we were waiting, holding all this stuff and waiting. My patience was really wearing thn by then. Minutes seemed eternal. Finally we returned the goods and headed back to process the experience. e discarded our handicaps, a luxury not possible in the real world, pulled ourselves together and discussed our feelings. For Dean, the loss of hearing was most tramatic. "You had to talk really loud just to hear yourself. You feel all by yourself when you can't hear anymore. I felt like I was all by myself." Ellen experienced "an abso- lutely overwhelming sense of frustration." Julie felt a "tremendous loss of independence. I tried to get a bag but couldn't." (The two store employees who were participants managed to get bags. Maybe it's not what you know; but who you know). The signage was difficult for Julie to see and with her hearing impaired, she felt a loss of balance. Wendy's tolerance level was zip. "I was bumping into every- thing. Normally when I go shop- p I want special service. en I am a senior I will need it." John had problems even though he knew the environ- ment. "The major thing for me was sight. Shopping is not easy at any time. I got an 11-year-old card înstead of a one-year old. !t was frustrating getting help from sales clerks." Nicole counted .the elevatu. buttons to reach ber floor. Lorna had a cold and, with the ear plugs, she said, "I could hear myself wheezing. I sounded like an old engine. I know why when some people get,'older they grow introspective. It's scary out there.' In Ontario there are more than one million people over age 65; in Canada, more than 2.5 million people. We came up with suggestions such as seniors' shopping days clearer signs, chairs situated throughout stores, wider aisles, less glare and wheelchairs. Store respresentatives as well as Cam- peau Corp. staff, all said they would use this experience to bet- ter accommodate the needs of seniors. The experience taught me that we ought to provide choices to our senior citizens. I learned about empathy and compassion. I'm sure the experience struck personal chords with all the par- ticipants. I couldn't help but think about my mother who died of cancer last December. I had visions of dragging her out shopping so she would'get out' for some fresh air. I thought of my aunt with whom I shop, although not as often anymore. We shop. We stop. We talk. I have a new respect for her efforts to get out and to keep up. Henceforth I will do my best to let ber know that any pace is fine with me as long as we spend the time together. And should I get a card that doesn't quite make sense, the same color year after year, or money instead of a gift, MIl know why, and I'll know it's the thought that counts. Nominations wanted for Women of Distinction awards The Oshawa YWCA has extended the deadline for receipt of nominations for the Women of Distinction Awards to Wednesday, Oct. 25. In their eighth year of celebration of the achievements of women in the .Durham Region, nominations may be made in four categories: the arts - with significant contribution to the arts, which broadens the cultural life of the community; community service - with outstanding contribution service; women in the workplace - with significant achievement in the workforce - labor, public office, professions, business, education and health care, as well as being actively involved in the community; young woman of distinction - to acknowledge young women's achievements. Nominees should have a good academic standing combined with involvement in school, church or community associations, athletic teams or clubs. Nominations in this category are restricted to those young women currently in grades 9-13 including 1989 graduates. As a women's organization, the Oshawa YWCA has worked for the recognition of the right of women and has helped women realize their potential and worth through its program and services. In accordance with this program and to assert its beliefmin its goals, the YWCA. established these awards to recognize women who are outstanding because of their goals. The YWCA looks forward to the public joining them in celebration of this event and to norninate recipients for these awards to be presented at a gala dinner on Thursday, Nov. 9. Dinner tickets are available at YWCA offices. For further informatibn re: nomination forms or dinner tickets call 576-8880. *1 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ti $9 * 1 p *s## 1, 9 (0 P... *1 4 I 4$ *. *e'A% t t f9 et I I f I f