On this day, the second day of June 2007, it is my father’s 60th birthday. Other than being a great Dad and role model over the last three decades, he has recently made a change in his life which is truly inspirational.
Faced with the prospect of not getting travel insurance to travel to Canada, due to an angioplasty he had done nearly ten years ago. Dad has now become a high-risk traveller and cannot get travel insurance for his heart condition.
This might have been a small nudge for many people, but for Dad it was a massive wake-up call. A little overweight, but quite unfit, Dad started a new regime of eating less, eating better, drinking less alcohol and doing a lot more exercise. Since March 3rd, he has only missed his daily 10km walk once due to bad weather. In three months he has lost nearly 30 pounds and is almost back to his wedding day weight from 1971. His blood-pressure is down, his fitness is up, he’s feeling better and more motivated in life now that he has all this extra energy.
After hearing the news in March that he couldn’t get insurance they cancelled their trip to Canada to visit us, but the trip is now back on. With their second grandchild due in early September, they will be here for the birth and despite not getting insurance, both Dad’s doctor and cardiologist don’t see him having any heart risk due to travel.
Who said you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?
