Still Swinging

92-year-old Lavonne Raven has never been a homebody. “I’m just not a person who sits around the house!” she says. Her younger days were busy with raising a family, staying involved in her community and running a successful business, and she renewed a strong passion for golf in her senior years. The sport was a huge part of her post-retirement life. When she wasn’t on a golf course or traveling with her golfing group, she could be found playing cards, running errands, shopping or attending local events. Her daily activities changed as she grew older, but she was still always on the run.

That all changed when Lavonne was in a car accident in 2013. Her car was totaled, and her family decided to take away her keys for good. She no longer had the freedom to come and go as she pleased.

Lavonne is a perpetually positive person, but it was hard to see the bright side of this life development. “I lost my independence,” she explains.

As she adjusted to her new home-based routine, Lavonne discovered the Volunteer Transportation program. She felt very relieved to learn that the program’s volunteer drivers could take her to see her oncologist, urologist, orthopedic specialist, vascular surgeon, chiropractor, physical therapist, audiologist and eye doctor. She was in good health for her age, but her calendar was full of recurring appointments. She wouldn’t have to miss out on her important medical care.

Over two years later, Lavonne continues to use Volunteer Transportation several times per month. She is very interesting in her own right, but she reports that one of her favorite things is learning about her volunteer drivers. “I love hearing about their lives! It’s like a day out for me. The drivers are all marvelous, and they all have such neat experiences to share,” she exclaims. She lists one volunteer driver who spends a lot of time on his large boat, another who is an avid cyclist and another who has gone on extensive motorcycling trips. She is able to live vicariously through their adventures.

Lavonne’s life may have changed since the loss of her car, but Volunteer Transportation allows her to hold on to her treasured independence. She says, “I truly do not know what I’d do without the program. It is just so wonderful.”

Volunteer Transportation helps Lavonne remain active, and she happily reports that she is still able to golf a full 18 holes. She isn’t able to hit the ball quite as far as she used to, and she doesn’t make it to the golf course as frequently as she’d like, but she still has an accurate swing.

Volunteer drivers ensure that Lavonne can maintain the good health and high spirits she needs to keep both on the go and on the green.

You can help more seniors like Lavonne get “on the road” to improved quality of life! More volunteer drivers are needed throughout the Eastside. Use your own car and choose the times, days and areas in which you wish to drive. Call (206)748-7588, email hilaryc@soundgenerations.org or visit www.soundgenerations.org to find out more. Hit a “hole in one” for local seniors!