“Karate Kid In 1984”, a movie, when released became an immediate success because it contained some of the features that many moviegoers enjoy. It was a romantic drama about a teenaged high school senior who, with his mother, moves from New Jersey to California in the San Fernando Valley area. He becomes friends with an attractive cheerleader, much to the chagrin of her ex-boyfriend who is skilled at Cobra Kai, a dishonorable and vicious form of karate.

The new student is tormented and beaten until the handyman at his mother’s apartment intervenes, and the young man defeats the attackers single-handedly. The man is a kind and humble immigrant from Okinawa who also is skilled at Cobra Kai, and takes the boy under his tutelage in order for him to be able to defend himself.

The training starts with menial chores that helped him to learn defensive blocks through muscle memory. The boy learns not only karate, but also important life lessons such as the importance of personal balance.

At a tournament, although injured, the new boy on the block, surprises everyone by reaching the finals. His injury is severe but he believes that if he does not continue, his tormentors will have gotten the best of him. As his opponent is about to be declared the winner by default, he hobbles into the ring. The match is a tight battle, because neither is able to break through the other's defenses.

A scissor leg technique is used to trip our hero. A blow to the back of the head gives him a nosebleed. After a short delay, the match resumes and our newcomer receives a vicious blow, doing further damage.  

Wounded, bleeding, and standing with difficulty, our hero assumes the position of a crane. This was a technique he observed his mentor performing on the beach. He lunges forward, jumps, and delivers a front kick to the chin, winning the tournament.

He gained newfound respect from his former enemies, received a trophy from the master of ceremonies, won the heart of his girlfriend, impressed his mother, and was thankful for his friendship with his mentor.

I couldn’t resist telling this story as a lead into doctor’s instructions to boost your balance, especially, as you get older. Just as the “Karate Kid” needed to learn balance in his life, so must we work on balance as we age. It is a skill, and if we have lost it over time, then we need to relearn our balance through practice.

However, before you try any exercises, no matter how simple, make sure to clear them with your doctor first.

Standing on one leg is a good measure of balance.  Just as the “Karate Kid” used that stance to defeat his enemy, so we can become more comfortable walking if we learn to stand on one leg. Stand up straight, hold onto something on both sides until you perfect your balance, and raise one foot along the leg up to your knee. Be sure to have something to grab if you lose your balance and do not stretch too far with your raising your opposing leg.

My sister decided to put on her pajama bottoms while standing on one foot. She wobbled, wiggled, kicked like the Karate Kid, and wound up on the floor. Fortunately, she did not break her hip (a common injury when older people fall), but she was sore for several weeks after the fall. This is a perfect example of why balance is so important.

Growing older is something that seems to creep up on us. Although our body changes as we age and people sing “Happy Birthday” to us each year, mentally we may not feel any older. That is why it is important to be more aware of our surroundings and be more cautious.

Just as Jim and I have had pets for most of our lives, many other seniors love to be greeted by a pet friend when they come home after being out, or even when they get up in the morning.

If you do have a pet, please be aware of where that pet is at all times. I am sure you have seen that commercial for dog food where a package is opened and suddenly a small puppy races around a corner, sliding across the floor, and bangs into the wall on the way to the food dish. That is very cute behavior on television, but hazardous in your home.

It is very easy for a cat or dog to run to you while you are distracted and you could wind up tripping. Again, that is why your good balance is so important. Something as simple as a bell around your pet’s neck on a collar could minimize the hazard.

The bathroom can harbor hazards, also. Regardless of whether you take a shower or a bath, the tub or shower stall can be dangerous. Not just because of the shiny surfaces, but also because of the water and soap on those surfaces. If you are somewhat unsteady, think about installing some grab bars. A seat can be purchased at a health store designed for use in tubs and showers if you are afraid of a fall. At the very least you can get a mat for the tub or shower or even some stick on applique's that can prevent a slip.

Be cautious of the throw rugs also. Carpets in any room can be a trip hazard. There are non-skid pad and strips that will help keep these small hazards in place and help to avoid a trip. Be observant about anything that is on the floor that may cause you to trip and fall. Decorative items, door stops, books, newspapers, and even dishes that are placed near a chair after they are used and, before they are taken to the kitchen can cause a fall.

If something does not belong on the floor, keep it off of the floor. If you have any wires or cords running along the baseboards from an outlet, be sure to have them in a position where you cannot trip over them. Tape them to the floor if necessary.

What about the other things you have around the home? If you use something often then it should be put in a place where it is easy to reach. Things like dishes used daily should be on lower shelves. Holiday dishes could be stored on upper shelves.

Use the same rational for everything. If it is used often make it easily accessible. If it is seldom used, put it away where it can be easily retrieved later. Light items can even be reached with a reach and grab device to avoid using a ladder. Wherever possible, keep your both feet planted firmly on the floor.

We all love to see the sun and enjoy daylight, but what do we do to protect ourselves, in the home, at night? As the sun goes down do we have a light in every room so that we are able to see what is in the room as we enter? Are the light switches easy to reach? What about the lamps can we turn them on and off easily? Many people have weaker eyesight, as they grow older. That means that we must rely on artificial lighting to be able to move about our house without a trip or fall.

For most people, as we have already mentioned, the consequences of a fall can range from devastating to deadly. The goal for us all then is to keep us on our feet. Protect yourself so you have less chance of falling and less chance of breaking bones.

PTSA Scholarship

Applications are now being accepted by the Guilderland PTSA for the Catherine Patten Community Service Award. This award will be given to a senior who is graduating in June, and who has been committed to community service. The deadline for applying is May 1. Students are advised to read the directions.

Changes

Students and parents of sixth and seventh graders are advised that the concert dates have been changed. May 28 is the date for the sixth grade concert. The seventh grade concert will be held on Tuesday, June 2.  Both concerts will be at 7:30 p.m.

Pantry needs

When doing your weekly shopping, please think about the Altamont Food Pantry housed at St.Lucy/St.Bernadette's parish center. There are always needs such as canned vegetables and canned soups. Any and all donations can be left in the Gathering Space, just inside the door.

Dinner in the Round

Members and guests of St. Lucy/St. Bernadette's Church will enjoy Dinner in the Round on Saturday, May 2. The event will be held in the parish center.  Sister Lou will again be the chef. For additional information contact Sherrill Virkler at 861-8770.

Prom reminder

The Guilderland High School junior prom will be held on Saturday, May 9, at the Albany Hilton. 

Garage sale

The Altamont Elementary School annual PTA garage sale will be held on Saturday,

May 2, throughout the village of Altamont. The sale begins at 9 a.m. and will close at 4 p.m. Sale signs will be posted at the homes that are participating in this event.        

Information can be obtained by contacting Jen Hausler at 861-6213. Persons participating in this village-wide PTA garage Sale must have paid the  $20 fee in advance and are listed in the participants location map.

Anniversaries

Happy-anniversary wishes are extended to:

— Renee and Christopher Buckey, Sue and Mark Jones and Linda and Tom Miller all celebrating on May 2; and

— Special wishes to my husband, Jim as we celebrate our anniversary on May 3, and Linda and Paul Forand also celebrating on May 3.

Birthdays

Happy-birthday wishes are extended to:

— Christina Marie Baker, Porter Bidleman, Bethany Bracken, Jessica Jones, Larry Grant, and Molly Trumpler on May 1;

— Ann Buckey, Kendra Dzingle, Becky Paeglow, and Derik Rau on May 2;

— Beth Burlingame, Jennifer Dean, Erica Munroe, and Joel Quay on May 3;

— John Ciupek, Janet Nopper, and Amy Toscano on May 4;

— Mark Daniel Reinemann and Bruce Shank on May 5;

— Nancy Furr, Sean Golden, Anthony Marciano, and Kendall Hope Morris on May 6; and