ENG
It’s the little things in life that matter most. Early on as a volunteer I met Elisa Fledelius, a nursing home resident. Elisa had a zest for life, but was very restricted due to her inability to walk without assistance. Being a local, Elisa would always have good stories to tell about how things were back in her days and how different things are now.
One day, we decided to take a trip to the city centre. Being in the heart of Copenhagen in mid-December, the city was oozing with Christmas atmosphere. Riding slowly through the Christmas market by the canal, people would often stop and talk to us. Elisa would wave to the kids and often people even wanted to have their pictures taken with us. Elisa and I were approached by two ladies dressed up as elves; the mother elf and her assistant. The mother elf was looking for wishes to pass on to Santa Claus. Elisa wished for new legs, whereas I wished for a picture of Elisa with the two elves. Elisa was clearly very moved. I imagine Christmas in the nursing home is a rather melancholy experience. Elisa had always stressed how much she appreciated the trishaw rides, so combining a trishaw ride with a view of Copenhagen at Christmas time really touched her deeply. What astounds me, is the fact that I could make such a difference to her, simply by taking her for a bike ride. Obviously little things for some can be very meaningful to others.
Something very special attracts people to Cycling Without Age. It unites people and positively creates ripples in the water; it brings joy, improves physical and mental health, it overcomes prejudice and breaks down stereotypes, but most of all it creates a social change through relationships built through the rides. After all, happiness, smiles and the adventurous spirit in Cycling Without Age is contagious.
Words by: Sahar Butt, Pilot
DAN
Det er de små ting i livet, der tæller. Lige da jeg startede som frivillig i Cykling uden alder, mødte jeg Elisa. Elisa var altid fuld af livsmod og glæde, men ret begrænset af, at hun ikke kunne gå mere end et par skridt uden hjælp. Elisa havde boet i København hele sit liv og havde altid en historie at fortælle, om hvordan tingene så ud i gamle dage.
En dag tog vi en cykeltur til indre by i København. Det var december, København emmede af julestemning. Mens vi kørte langsomt ned af Nyhavn, stoppede folk os op for at få en snak eller for at tage billeder. På vores tur blev Elisa og jeg stoppet af en nissemor og hendes assistent, som skrev ønsker ned på en ønskeliste for at give dem videre til julemanden. Elisa ønskede sig nye ben, så hun kunne komme til at gå igen. Jeg ønskede mig et billede af Elisa. Elisa var meget rørt. Jeg kan forestille mig, at jul på et plejehjem kan føles ret ensomt til tider. Derfor var det noget helt specielt for Elisa – og mig selv – at få en juletur på cyklen i hendes by. Det, der overrasker mig er, hvor lidt der skulle til for at glæde hende; bare en lille cykeltur til indre by.
Små ting for nogle, kan betyde virkelig meget for andre.
Det er noget helt specielt, der drager folk til Cykling uden
alder. Det bringer folk sammen og skaber positive ringe
i vandet; det spreder glæde, forbedrer den psykiske og
fysiske sundhed, nedbryder fordomme og stereotyper og
mest af alt skabes social forandring gennem cykel-relationerne.
Hvorom alting er, smitter Cykling uden alder positivt
omkring sig. Med godt humør, smil og dejlige oplevelser.
Your job is very meaningful, try to continue and share for everyone, Thanks
You will help a lot of people, you like an angel, a girl full of kindness, please continue your work offline
When you are old the thing you most want is health and joy, your job is very useful, I will share with people, thank you
Great info to share, thanks