Page 13 - Autumn 2019

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Dementia is one of the greatest challenges facing
society today and there are more than 850,000 peo- 13
ple living with the condition in the UK. Yet many peo-
ple with dementia say they experience barriers to
taking part in activity.
These could include difficulty in navigating
around a sports facility or remembering how to use
equipment in a leisure centre. Others say they worry
about people’s reactions, for example, staff not un-
derstanding their difficulties, or a lack of confidence
in finding the right activities.
Defeating dementia won’t happen overnight,
but until that day, we must all pull together to create
a dementia-friendly society. Tim Hollingsworth - The
practical guide aims to inform and educate individuals and organisations, so they have a better
knowledge of dementia and how it affects people. It also provides tools and guidance so that
the sector can help more people affected by dementia enjoy the benefits of staying active in a
caring and understanding environment.
Jeremy Hughes, chief executive officer at Alzheimer’s Society, said the guide would help
make taking part in sport or physical activity less daunting. “Dementia can devastate lives and
it is vital that people with dementia are enabled and empowered to live the life they want in their
community,” he added.
“Visiting a gym, sports centre or favourite leisure facility to take part in physical activity can
be daunting for people with dementia, loved ones and friends – but with support and adjustments
from sport and physical activity providers, they will remain active. The guide is part of a £1.7
million National Lottery-funded partnership with the Richmond Group of charities, bringing to-
gether some of the biggest charities in health to deliver projects to help people with long term
health conditions to get active.

Don’t tell me I’m too old!
Don’t tell me I’m too old!
The Hurricane is here!
The Hurricane is here!
Bucking the age and Dementia trend and nothing to do
with Bowls, I couldn’t resist this story. 103-year-old Julia
“Hurricane” Hawkins won two gold medals, in the 50
metre and 100 metre dashes, as she competed in the
2019 Senior Games in Albuquerque, New Mexico,
She didn’t begin her running career until she hit
100, saying that she “thought it’d be neat to run at 100
and do the 100-yard dash” — and that’s after picking up
a cycling career relatively late in life. She is now the old-
est female competitor in the U.S. and the oldest ever to compete on the track! Last year, the
“Hurricane” set a world record for the 100-meter in her age group, but finished slightly slower
this year, according to GMA.
“When you’re 103, every day is a miracle,” the Louisiana State University alumna, who
graduated in1938. “I just keep getting up and I’m here again.” running isn’t the only sport she
excels in. In fact, she is such an accomplished athlete that her husband had to make her a spe-
cial box to keep all her medals from the years spent cycling and running.
Julia “Hurricane” Hawkins is a long-time Baton Rouge, Louisiana native who graduated
from Lousiana State University with a degree in teaching. After retiring, she took up biking for
the first time at age 81 and went on to win two gold medals at the Senior Olympic Games.
The great grandmother transitioned to running, where she continued to find success. Two
years ago, she became the world record holder in the 100-meter dash for her age group with a
blistering time of 39.62 seconds.