Staying active for senior citizens is often one of the keys to living a long life, since it provides a sense of independence and allows them to continue to enjoy their surroundings. In the case of 89-year-old Yvonne Dowlen, her love of ice skating over the past 76 years helps provide the framework for that enjoyment.
A resident of Denver, Dowlen is a former member of the Ice Capades who grew up in the shadow of the Great Depression, when such things as ice skates were seen as a luxury. Over her lifetime, she’s continued to make skating a regular part of her routine, currently skating at a rink in nearby Loveland between 30-45 minutes a day, five days a week.
Since 2006, this is something that’s been life-altering. That’s because Dowlen was in an auto accident that year in which she sustained a severe concussion, a condition that caused doctors to advise her to give up skating.
Dowlen ignored their suggestions and noted that their request merely motivated her to get back on the ice. Training to return, she eventually made a point to show doctors that she was able to perform a jump of one-and-a-half revolutions. That’s one move short of an axel and is something that many individuals one-third of her age have difficulty in performing.
More recently, she used her skating to get through a painful sciatica condition. During this period, she found that the fact that she was able to do her rehabilitation by doing something she loved. That helped make what can sometimes be an arduous issue for others more enjoyable.
Often skating with her daughter Sherry, Dowlen is a grandmother who believes in the concept of moving it or losing it. In this case, that loss would be her mobility.
Dowlen thinks that skating is easier than walking. In addition, she feels that once someone learns how to skate well, the ability to glide takes less of a toll on the body and can cover several miles during each routine
She is part of the Colorado Skating Club and continues to enter skating competitions. In 2012, she finished in second place at the Senior Skating Championships. In addition to her performances, she also helps train children to skate, taking the time to instruct them in maintaining a positive frame of mind.
When asked how she deals with the inevitable negatives of life, she said that she gains perspective by noting that many people her age are either deceased or in poor health and that she’s still able to get on the ice.
Dowlen stated that such vibrancy didn’t exist within her when she was 40 years old, since she didn’t enjoy mentioning her age at that time. However, now still active as an octogenarian, she’s proud to note her age.