Welcome to The Bold Way Home.
Stories of aging with care and dignity.
Growing older doesn't mean wanting less out of life.
If anything, it means having the right support to keep living the way you want to live.
But for a lot of people, the path there isn't clear.
These stories are about that journey.
They're about the moments where things change, the challenges people face, and what it looks like to find care that actually meets you where you are.
Bold Age Pace is one way that can happen.
It's a program that brings health care, support, and community together to help aging adults stay independent and at home.
Through these stories, you'll hear what that really means in someone's life.
This is Jimmy's story.
I was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, August 10th, 1956.
I've been at Bald Age Pace for over a year now as a pace participant here in New Jersey.
This was a big deal.
I got a new wheelchair, brand new wheelchair today.
Um I did not want a new wheelchair because I thought I'd be walking by now.
So I've kind of like given in a little bit.
This past 48 hours has been tough for me.
In college, I ran track.
I ran in the Olympic trials in 1976, immediately core mile hurdles.
I mean I I always tell people that athletics paid my college education.
I've been paying for it ever since.
I had 13 knee surgeries.
So I've been sick for a long time.
So I had my first knee surgery in 1978, two years after I was, I guess, a sophomore in college or junior.
Back then in the legs, hidden, you had knee surgery, you were putting a cast.
I mean, there was no rehab.
You know what rehab was?
There's no lie.
A meleograph sheet with exercises to do using dish towels and canned corn.
That was rehab back then.
So I had two of those surgeries, one in 78 and one in 93.
Total disasters.
Then um, when I got started getting my knee boosts, I started doing better.
Two years ago, I was in a medically induced coma due to uh uh severe lung surgery.
I was receiving help from the hospital for rehab and nursing, and it just did not help me at all.
Uh I needed to be pushed.
When I involved in athletics, I was far from the most talented guy.
Far from I just worked harder than anybody else.
I ran harder.
I'd have to push myself, otherwise I'll I'll lose.
I I know it.
My friend Arlene and my sister Donna learned about pace.
That's how that's how I became involved, realizing that I was gonna be in bad shape when I got home.
So they just they went to look at different services.
Back as Medicaid, within a week, I was here and I couldn't believe it.
They actually come pick you up and bring you and then bring you home.
Then you give the doctor's appointment, they actually pick you up, bring you to the doctor's appointment, wait for you, and bring you home.
I mean, just I I I absolutely love this place.
Before I came to bold age, I was in my wheelchair 16 hours a day and eight hours a day in my bed, and that was it.
That's all I did.
When I came to bold age, they taught me how to stand up.
I'm 68 years old right now.
I can't leave my house because my bed's not made.
So I get up a half an hour earlier to make my bed.
I told them that, and I said, you know, it's such a problem with me getting around in his wheelchair.
I have a queen-sized bed.
Within a day, they gave me a new wheelchair.
I'm able to zip around my bed, make my bed like in 10 minutes instead of half an hour.
I can now take care of my bedroom way easier.
I just had the new chair.
I said, Oh my god, it's on blue boy.
Now I can zip.
I have seen a doctor and uh a PA more in the last year than I saw in 20 years before that.
Every time I come here, I get some professional.
I no longer have to worry about anything with my health.
I don't worry about seeing a doctor, I don't worry about getting tests done.
Whatever needs to be done for me gets done automatic.
This has changed my life big time.
My hopes of the future have changed every three months.
Perfectly honest with you.
I mean, I'm a tough kid.
I I work hard, I'm not afraid of pain.
I've had pain my entire life, but I'm not at this future yet.
It's really upsetting to me.
But I'll I'll get it.
I'll get it.
I get down a little bit.
My friend only said, Jimmy, you gotta realize where you were just three months ago or four months ago, or where you were last year.
So, you know, I guess I get down a little bit.
My family can tell I get down a little bit.
But it's it's temporary.
I I you know, I you know, I can go home now.
I'm gonna, I'm gonna I walked as far today as I've ever walked.
She's gonna measure it.
I bet you it was like 1200 feet, I betcha.
I would hate to think who I'd be right now with that bold age pace.
When my son passed, I spent six months in bed.
I did not get up, I didn't talk to anybody.
That's how I handle bad things in life.
Well, I'd still be at home crying over cocoa.
That's how much, you know, they they meant to me.
I can't stress enough how important it is for people with disabilities and old age to come to a place like Bold Age.
All I know is that this place is fantastic.
Bold age gives you what you need, no matter how small or how insignificant it might be.
But to the patient, it's huge to have people actually care about what you're feeling and how your day is going and how your therapy is going.
I firmly believe that at this point in my life I will walk again, and it's because of pace that I'm gonna be able to walk again.
Jimmy's story is a reminder that healing doesn't always happen all at once.
Sometimes it looks like learning how to stand again.
Sometimes it looks like getting through grief.
Sometimes it looks like having a reason to get dressed, make your bed, and wait for the call that says your ride is coming.
For Jimmy, pace has given him structure, support, and hope.
Care is about more than appointments and checkups.
It's about helping someone feel less alone, more capable, and more confident in what might still be possible.
And for Jimmy, that possibility is clear.
If Jimmy's story moved you or made you think of someone in your life, share this episode with them.
And if you or someone you love is looking for more support, you can visit boldagepace.com to learn more and see if it might be the right fit.
Because we're all growing older, but we can still live bold.
