HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1989-05-10, Page 25THE HURON EXPOSITOR, MAY 10, 1989 — 58
by Carolanne Doig
Many ways to increase ski 1
Their numbers are rising along with their
age. More and more seniors are playing
golf. Some seniors have been ehasing that
little white ball for years but many others
have recently taken up the game. It doesn't
seem to matter whether the senior golfers
are beginners or "old hands," they have
many things in common when it comes to
golf. The most important factor is their en-
joyment of this "Game of a Lifetime."
As our senor population rises the numbers
of seniors participating in everything from
bowling to drama clubs, is increasing. Golf
is no exception. In golf, seniors have found a
healthful and stimulating pastime that com-
bines physical activity, the outdoors, com-
petition, socializing, and fun.
Regardless of your competitiveness, any
game or sport is more enjoyable when you
play it with a degree of akin. There are
many ways of increasing your skill level in
golf in spite of your age.
Good physical condition is important to
good golf. Many people don't perceive golf
as a physically strenuous activity. This is
true enough and thus it makes golf ideal for
those whose. days on the tennis courts or soc-
cer fields are over. However, the better the
shape you're in, the better you'll play golf.
Walking is a "best exercise." Walking
strengthens the legs, helps the car-
diovascular system, and improves circula-
tion. Seniors should walk as much as possi-
ble, on and off the course. Unless the golf
course is very billy or the weather's ex-
tremely hot, seniors should walk their round
of golf. If you must take power cart, because
of course rules or personal health, then walls
as much as possible ... perhaps taking turns
with your partner walking one hole, riding
the next.
Before golf, warmup exercises are impor-
tant. Many people rush to the first tee and
play the first few holes all over the place.
Warmups are important for allgolfers, but
especially so for seniors. :winging a
weighted club, doing some torso twists, arm
swings, and stretches before teeing it up, is
at least a start. Take time to go to the prac-
tice area. Hit some full wedge shots first and
then work up to longer irons and woods that
require alonger swing. Then visit the prac-
tice green for some chipping and putting.
Only after all this are your bones, muscles,
and joints ready to tackle the game. Many
seniors will enhance their enjoyment of golf
by following a program of moderate exer-
cises at home all year long. Concentrate on
exercises that will improve flexability as
well as strength in the legs and forearms.
If arthritis is a problem, as it is with many
seniors, then some adaptations may be
made. Shortening your swing as a result of
back problems, will reduce the distance you
can hit the ;ball. Some way to compensate
are to use longer shafts with more flex.
Even changing from the overlapping grip
to the baseball grip may add a few extra
yards to your game. -Arthritic- hands . may
also benefit from changing to jumbo -size
grips on your clubs. Many seniors found it
easier to apply pressure when using the
oversize grips. As you get older it often
becomes more difficult to focus your eyes.
Far sightedness is a common problem and
the effects are noticed on theputting green.
Golfers who try conventional bifocals may
find it awkward getting their head into posi-
tion to see the ball during address. Bifocals
where the entire bottom hail of the lense is
in use instead of a small oval area, allow the
golfer more room to get the ball into focus.
Health is not the only thing of concern to
senior golfers wishing to play a better game.
Technique can make or break any golfer,
seniors too! The technique that worked for
you 30 years ago may not be suitable now.
Sam Snead, one of the most amazing senior
golfers ever, says that most seniors are still
frying to play the way they did as juniors or
in middle -age. Most under club because
they "used to be able to hit the ball 170 yards
with an 8 iron." You must learn to golf in the
present tense. Forget about what you used
to do, and don't worry about the next hole or
next round. Play one shot at a time.
Concentrate onawinging through the ball,
not at it, and swing easy. Take advantage of
today's technology by using equipment
suited to you and your game. Use more
woods, perhaps investing in a 7 wood to
eliminate the need to use those hard -to -hit
long irons. Experiment with a 2 -wood off the
tee. Use your experience to your advantage.
So what if you don't hit it as far as you used
to? Make up for it with accuracy around and
on the putting green. Stay out of hazards and
other .trouble and your score will remain
respectable.
Remember not to be too analytical. This is
.especially true for seniors just taking up
golf. Sometimes they tend to dwell over the
why -instead of just the how. Sam Snead also
said, "Analysis breeds paralysis. You can't
.drive a tee shot very far with a brain wave."
The key is to get out on the course and
JHAPPY BIRTHI3AY
have fun. Whether you're a loner who likes
to wander around the course combining golf
with bird watching and contemplation, or a
competitor who likes to socialize with a bet
on the side, golf may just be the game for
your. Contact your local proshop to find out
about senior rates and senior leagues. Join
the fun. You're never too old for this game of
a lifetime
Unfortunately the wet weekend and cold
temperatures dampened the spirits at the
first couple's night. About 20 people were
out and enjoyed a golf film and supper in
spite of the weather. On Monday morning a
few seniors were out but it was too cold for
golf. Hopefully next Monday will be better.
Coming up are the following events:
Seniors' Monday 9 a.m., Ladies' Monday
after 4 p.m., Men's Tuesday after 5 p.m.
The Junior scramble on Friday morning
had 21 competitors with the following
golfers on the winning teams: Dave
Mc'Nairn, Luke McMillan, Iain McMillan,
Mike Weber, Scott Wood,. Mike Smale, and
Steve Greidanus.
; . n
04
THE SEAFORTH GOALTENDER reaches tor the ball as it is son (5) waits for the rebound. Goderich did not score on this play,
about to cross the goal line during first half action In last week's and the two teams ended up tied at 2-2. Williscraft photo,
Huron -Perth Conference Junior game, Goderich's Brent Ander-
liapppy fifth birthday to Wade Broome on
mays.
Sappy third birthday to Adam Broome on
May B.
appy ?? birthday to Kevan Brome on
.May9.
A SIE
"e everyone
Parents train
hen the Smiths first real-
ized he had a problem
Bill was 8 years old. Now
he is 15.
"Don't worry, he'll outgrow
it," the doctors kept telling
them. The last time had been
four years ago.
But Bill was still a bedwetter:
He would wake up in a dry bed,
just two days a week. Five doc-
tors had tried their best. They
put Bill through many tests,
wrote numerous prescriptions,
ordered hospital stays and even
performed surgery. Nothing
seemed to work.
"Over the last 15 years, we felt
fortunate if the bed was dry two
nights in a row," says the boy's
father, who asked that their real
-names not be used. Bill could go
to visit someone and spend the
night. But he might stay awake
the whole time, because he was
embarrassed and did not want to
wet the bed.
Then, several weeks ago, the
Smiths heard of the Canadian
Children's Centre. They sent
away for free literature and saw
their own son's story being
played out. What had hit them
'hardest was an earlier story that
linked bedwetting to arson.
"My son tried to burn down
our shed," says the father.
That's when I said I am tired of
hearing 'don't worry he will out-
grow it' - also I found out
bedwetting is harmful physical-
ly and emotionally. If bedwet-
ting can be stopped, why should
we allow our child to sleep in
this condition. If my son needed
braces, I wouldn't hesitate."
Many don't
outgrow
bedwetting
Children don't always stop
' bedwetting says Canadian Chil-
dren's Centre director Vincent
Fowler. In 14 years the Centre has
successfully treated thousands of
bedwetters, and receives a large
number of inquiries from adults
who still have the problem.
"But quite often a doctor will say
°Don't worry, your child will out-
grow it.' That's because most doc-
tors don't want the parents to wor-
ry. A history of bedwetting in the
family can reduce the chances a
,child will outgrow it."
Psychologist Dr. Warren Bailer
of the University of California at
Los Angeles writes "Evidence ac-
cumulated casts doubt that chil-
dren outgrow bedwetting. Most
bedwetters hide their feelings and
shame, and ••embarrassment are
their constant companion. Correct-
ing bedwetting often pproduces re-
markable results in family rela-
tionships, behavior, school work
and peer contact."
Bill was dry nine weeks after the
Smiths Bent for the Centre litera-
ture and eight weeks without a
wet bed, they have started to no-
tice other changes.
"My son has always been very
quiet, very withdrawn. He,aeldom
talks to us. I guess that's because
he was teased a lot when,someene
who'd let him stay fit his home: let
the cat out of the bag," says the
father. Today Bill reaches out for
affection from his family in, a way
they've never known. Be also ap-
pears much calmer.
, •Bill fellows the patterns of .many
nocturnal enuretics" as the con-
dition le ,medically ::known.:For
Ahern, ,the :problem is ;more than
,lust; a wet sheeggt nuisance. Unfor-
tunately, it'sa131111 a closely closet-
edaprob em,•few.,peop e,are :willing
,to Abet ,help for „or even ,discuss
,with ;their kindly iphysicians .or
-friends.
luron .
Ram*"
Ps
Ysi y
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Advertisement
child for a dry night's sleep
Psychological
considerations
"To offer a child a reward to accomplish
something when they're sleeping, they can't win.
It sets them up for f hare."
go to camp, or spend the night
with a friend. They live in con-
stant fear of ridicule - that some-
body will uncover their problem,
Bedwetting is not an accepted
thing to do.
He noted that the resulting shame
from bedwetting during the sensi-
tive age of a child, can be devastat-
ing. Often hostility, resentment
and feelings of rejection or antiso-
cial traits that can carry over into
adulthood.
"Our success goes beyond just
stopping bedwetting," Fowler
says. "Most parents tell us that
their children are happier with
themselves. The children like
themselves more and so do their
parents. A child who likes and re-
spects himself is more capable of
liking and respecting others.
"A tremendous amount of stress
is removed from the whole family.
Often they weren't even aware it
was related to bedwetting. Parents
often find a great behaviour and
attitude change in the child,"
"Schoolwork often improves and
so does the child's attention span
and concentration. There are some
real, positive benefits from stop-
ping bedwetting."
But bedwetting, he explains, can
leave emotional scars both on chil-
dren and parents if the .problem
isn't treated quickly. And as a gen•
eral rule, he says, children should
be able to make it through the
night within six months of being
toilet trained during daytime
hours.
The concerned
parent
Bedwetting is known to cause
emotional problems if not .correct-
ed before school. So the majority of
inquiries come from parents of
four year olds looking few,a
prior to their children atart-
ing school.
Many other parents get upset at
the child because they -know
friends and relatives can ,sopae-
times ,smell the odor, and the cost
can. average over, $300 a year,. just
for
can,
Some parents .will reward .their
children for a dry night :or scold
when bedwetting occurs.b t
Fowler says "To offer Al fled
reward to accomplish ,something
when they're sleeping, is 8�.nUo-win
situation. It sets them up for fall.
ure"
Be notes that,a 3,trFa year. study;.at
McGill University concludes hat
deep , fleep,. ,not ;the child,
blame :the No. 1 ;cause ,of
bedivotting•
p t esAmi of ec s
the problem, he adds. Repeated
bedwetting episodes at night, and
the frequency of day time voiding
may tend to keep the bladder un-
derdeveloped and the sphincter or
lock muscle weak. Most bedwet-
tinge are very sensitive. The child
may also, become overly sensitive
about being a bedwetter. This anx-
iety connected with bedwetting
can make the problem worse.
After children are toilet trained,
he says, waking in the morning
wearing a diaper or sleeping in a
wet bed can't help but affect them
emotionally. They know they are a
disappointment to themselves and
their parents.
Folk remedies
There are plenty of folk and trad-
itional remedies, but they often do
more harm than good because they
delay proper therapy.
Improper methods of treating
bedwetting can include: waking or
lifting a child at night, restricting
or reducing liquids during the day
or before bed, rewards, scolding,
drugs, waiting to outgrow it, and
treating it medically. All of the
above methods can produce harm-
ful side effects.
Scolding only makes the prob-
lem worse, because the child ends
up denying how badly he or she
feels to the parents.
Medical attempts
Staff psychologist Arnold Keller
says the worst so-called solution -
without question - is for parents to
wait until children outgrow the
problem,. This is because toilet
training teaches children the dif-
ference between right and wrong,
success and failure, clean and
dirty. So bedwetting only rein-
forces negative feelings and can
lead to a poor pelf image,
"It's not that they outgrow it,
it's that they stop talking about
it," he says. Most bedwetters hide
their feelings in shame. They try
to hide from the parents any ink-
ling that it matters. So parents of-
ten don't think it affects the child.
If a child does not show signs of
the bedwetting bothering them,
this can be serious.
"The majority don't work to
their full potential," he says. Since
they are active during the day
they are deep Sleepers with a short
attention span. Keller says they
often have difficulty communicat-
ing with their parents because of
the guilt associated with bedwet-
ting. One study showed three of
every-gour institutionalizeduve-
nile delinquentrewere or had bftn
bedwetters. Unfortunately, too,
says Keller, there is a higher inci-
dence of auicide in children who
are bedwetters.
Theolder personality type is
that of the over -achievers, who try
to prove they're OK. Keller says
they knock themselves out to be
successful. All of this can cause
parents to suffer guilt when family
or friends start blaming them for
their children's problem. And as a
last straw, parents sonatimes
have resorted to rather cruel
methods of stopping their children
from bedwetting.
Keller says one family admitted
beating their child and making
him sleep in a wet bed - admitted-
ly the first time they'd been abu-
sive and contrary to their love and
desire for their son to stop wetting
the bed.
Medical intervention .isn't as
prevalent as it once was, it also
can porsen a condition.
Both the U,S. Food and Drug Ad-
ministration and the American
Medical Association say drugs are
not the treatment choice.
Fowler notes that the American
Academy of Pediatrics established
that bedwetting is not .a medical
problem, .and advised against. most
.medical ,tests or drugs. For exam-
ple ,X-rays close to a child's :geni-
talsposes unnecessary risk of-radi-
,ation.
He notes that aurgical prooe-
•dure where the urethra or urinary
passage is. enlarged .has,been.,popu-
.lar. But Fowler says the ;healing
And a , egarring ,precess can cause
e Urethra to ,heonie ;awaller.
e Smith's son Bill tutdortwant
the operation,and.it-didn't,work.
VINCE FOWLER
For additional information,
;and to And out why your
clinic wets the bed, send for
our free brochure. Ail inquir-
ies ;are confidential. Call or
write Canadian Children's
Centre, $SO• • uU tte Avenue,
Babe?flg2 Tl in ler, 'Ontario,
N9A,104anada. Telephone:
(510) 264-
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