Here’s the scene thanks to the CFL website. Varsity Stadium, Toronto, Nov. 30, 1957. Ray “Bibbles” Bawel, a Hamilton Ticat defensive back, has just picked off his second pass of the game and is headed down the sidelines with a clear path to the end zone. David Humphrey, a spectator standing on the sidelines near the Winnipeg Blue Bomber bench, sticks his foot out and trips Bawel, preventing the touchdown, though the Ticats won the game easily, 32-7.

The 1957 Grey Cup drew 27,051 fans at Varsity Stadium but it also became the most-watched game up until that time because it was the first game to be seen coast-to-coast on television, using the new “microwave system.”

People can fall unexpectedly anytime without warning; turned up carpets, pets dart between our legs, for example. As we age, older adults are susceptible to falling more than we were in our youth.

Recently I had a fall that brought this home to me. I miss-stepped and fell. In hindsight, I was absolutely shocked by the speed with which I fell down on my knees and then onto my face. My arms didn’t flail. There was no movement in my core to try to gain my balance. I fell as quick as a blink and as hard as a stone.

I realized then that I was not in my youth. I needed to pay attention to my experience and not wait to see what happens a second time. It will likely happen sooner than I’ll ever win the 649 lottery – and I buy tickets!

Most people have the ability to take action to increase the likelihood of recovering from a fall. I urge you not to wait but contact your physician, health clinic or the St. Albert Senior Association for information. You can’t guarantee that you won’t fall, but you can improve your chances that you won’t and if you do fall, you can improve your chances that it will be less serious.

Call a Counsellor at 780-459-0433 ext. 0 at St. Albert Seniors Association

Take action to help yourself today.

Glenn Walmsley