Dear Editor,
As a bouncy, past three-score-and-ten citizen, I was delighted to read the nicely written letter by Everette De Leon, Chairperson of The National Commission for the elderly. The writer deserves our highest compliments and the Guyana Chronicle which titled the letter, ‘Take a stand against ageism’ must be congratulated for publishing it.
Let me admit two things: first, the term ‘ageism’ is new to me, and I was not aware of such a commission being active, so many thanks. But let me add this:
Retired, healthy people with a wealth of experience, oft times with fewer family commitments allowing them to devote more time to a given task, are often gobbled up by institutions and agencies in the developed world and even in the Caricom states, adding to our loss of useful human resources (foolish Guyana).
What is this fuss about older persons? What ought to matter is a person’s health, physical condition and mental alertness. In as much as I am a Freddie Kissoon fan, I disagreed strongly with him when he was critical of the appointment of certain seniors. By jove, we need these men and women to help stabilise the ship of Guyana through storms and difficulties. And something else: these elders, in most cases are settled and less likely to snatch and steal.
In Guyana we have in every field people of advanced chronological age serving with competence and dignity. Early last year, I met 90-year-old Sylvannus McKend of Meten-Meer-Zorg who is still chasing after his cows, rain or sunshine. And Lee in his mid-80s still an excellent surgeon, while in the courts we have Sase Narain, Ashton Chase and C M L John. Then there are the likes of Earl B John whose clear letters provide the wisdom the nation needs.
There are others still kicking who can put to shame some of the young guns, and they are all in their 90s. As we encourage our young people to be a part of the grand design to build Guyana, let us not put those who still have the nerve, experience and time to serve aside.
Up with youth but hold steady the so called elderly.
Yours faithfully,
Eric Moseley
