076 Chapter 6 Conclusion In their own words The following are excerpts from interviews with 14 older adults, who shared with the Commission their experiences and thoughts about ageing. With their permission, direct (and translated) quotes are presented, along with a name provided by each individual, to give voice to those with lived experience. I don’t want to sound flippant, but the best [thing about ageing] is waking up every morning. All the more so, because on November the first last year, I had a stroke and I didn’t wake up until November the second, and a whole 27 and a half hours went out of my life. And I came to appreciate how important time is, that each day is important. On Tuesday night I had a pub dinner with 8 or 10 people, we talked around the table and were all laughing – it was just delightful to be able to do that. There are disappointing things. They’ve taken away my driver’s license because I’m on a particular medication and that means I have lost my independence. I’m dependent on my partner and I’ve got to say things like, ‘Could you take me to the pharmacy so I can get the bloody drugs that I’ve got to take that stopped me from driving’. That’s annoying. I’m surprised at how quickly I’ve aged. When I was 70, I felt I was very active, very able. Very, very busy, still working. And then I don’t know where the last 10 years have gone. I was travelling frequently. And then I felt I was really unable to do so. But on the other hand, I’m glad to be growing old because it means I’m still alive. I refuse to lose my sense of humour. And to me, that’s been the driving force – I can still laugh at myself. —Ian, 80