Opinion/Letters: Old age should not limit a person's capability, health issues should

The current feeling in the country is that President Biden should not run for office again because he is too old.

I, being old, would like to point out the difference between age, a number, and medical issues that can come with age. These two things are not necessarily the same.

On the sports page in your Wednesday edition, is an article about great football coaches and their ages. Specifically, Pete Carroll who just turned 72, and Bill Belichick who is soon to follow.

The headline and article say they can both still compete in the NFL, and that the NFL's two septuagenarian coaches still have what it takes to compete in this ever-changing young man's game.

Age, and the medical conditions that can come with age, are not the same. Some of us old people are still thriving and vital well into old age — as could the president or a high-powered official. The perfect example of this is all our musicians and entertainers still appearing everywhere. Jane Fonda (85), Rita Moreno (91), Lily Tomlin (84), Rod Stewart (78), Dionne Warwick (82), Johnny Mathis (87), Frankie Valli (89), Englebert Humperdink (87) — just to name a few. They are still thriving and vibrant, all of them!

Setting an age — or old age — limit should not be the goal here. Medical problems and cognitive problems should be what determines judgment about a person's ability to perform.

So don't be so quick to put us oldies out to pasture!

Karen Anderson, East Wareham

Hurricane Lee had major impacts on our region last weekend, some more visible than others. The forecast, unfortunately, resulted in the cancellation of the inaugural Second Summer Cycle charity bike ride spearheaded by the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce. Months in the making, the event included hundreds of registered participants riding across the Cape in support of eighteen local charitable organizations. To say that everyone involved was disappointed would be an understatement. But there’s still a lot to celebrate.

More than 400 individuals, from as far away as Arizona, have quietly been logging training miles and raising funds since the spring. There was no fanfare, no post-ride party, no social media pictures of them crossing the finish line, but their accomplishments far transcended the event itself. Together, they raised more than $200,000 (and counting) in support of the ride’s beneficiaries. Those dollars will positively impact tens of thousands of Cape Codders. And nobody can take that accomplishment away.

Many of the participants completed the ride on their own time, either individually or with their teams. It’s one thing to do an endurance ride fueled by the adrenaline of spectators and frequent water stations, but it’s something special to go the distance on your own.

I’d also like to acknowledge the tireless efforts of the beneficiaries, who have been recruiting riders and helping shape this new collaborative event. And to the sponsors and organizing committee — thank you for the muscle you put into the planning. Your efforts were not in vain.

If you’d like to make a donation in support of this year’s riders, visit SecondSummerCycle.com.

Paul Niedzwiecki of Centerville is the CEO of the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce.

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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Letters: Overall health, not age, should be the measure of capability