Elder Life Story by Rachel Ellis

Letter

ellisrl — 2023-11-28 20:17:12 UTC

Childhood Memories

ellisrl — 2023-11-28 23:57:14 UTC

Roger has an abundance of memories at his grandparents house. He remembers playing with his siblings in their big backyard. He lived on the same street as his grandparents growing up. Roger and his siblings would make frequent walks to their grandparents house. There was a snowstorm that lasted weeks and Roger built an igloo with his siblings. Roger has memories of playing basketball at the court in their driveway with all of his friends in the neighborhood. He told me about being on the basketball team from elementary school through high school.

College, Teaching, and Coaching

ellisrl — 2023-11-29 00:07:36 UTC

The hardest thing Roger ever went through was getting his bachelor's degree and working full time. Roger is a first generation college student. He did not have any help paying for college. Roger was determined to be full time in college and work to graduate without any loans. When he graduated college he was eager to get his teaching license. Becoming a teacher has been Roger's dream since he was a child. He felt ecstatic to finally be reaching his goals and all the hard work payed off. Then he was looking for local teaching jobs as a physical education teacher. He loved playing basketball and decided to become a coach. Then Roger decided to enroll in a master's program in New York. Roger continued teaching and while pursuing his masters degree he met his wife. In his free time of his adulthood he would often go camping, fishing, and boating with his brother and father.

Roger's Wife Debbie

ellisrl — 2023-11-29 01:08:46 UTC

Roger met his wife Debbie while studying for his master's degree in New York. Roger and Debbie met at their workplace. Debbie worked in the office at the high school as a secretary and Roger was a physical education teacher. Debbie and Roger met in their late 30's and they have been married for 28 years. Debbie has two children and Roger is their father figure. Roger has no children of his own but considers Debbie's children his own. Roger and Debbie decided to move closer to Roger's family when his mother got ill and needed a kidney transplant. They came back to Ohio and Roger became a principal of a high school. He worked there for 18 years until retirement. He is the grandpa to seven grandkids. He loves spending time with his wife and grandchildren. He enjoys taking them on camping trips and boating during his retirement. Roger has picked up a part time job in his retirement because he is bored and has too much free time. He goes on vacation often with his wife. They have a trip to Las Vegas planned in December.

ELS Module 0:

ellisrl — 2023-11-29 04:16:25 UTC

My uncle Roger Ellis He is my father's older brother. Roger took me camping and boating when I was younger. The first interview will be face to face October 3rd. The second interview will be a phone call on October 10th. I do have permission to include photos.

Words that come to mind when I hear older adults from Module 0:

senior discount
Grandparents
hearing aids
Vulnerable
Falling

Written Reflection

ellisrl — 2023-11-29 04:18:30 UTC