Congratulations Donavon, you got that Steelman spirit (article a grandfather's perspective)

I read a couple of articles how walking helps the aging brain deal with dementia. One article reported what walking an hour three time a week did for those dealing with vascular dementia. Another Report talked about the benefits of short briefer walks benefiting those suffering from dementia.

The back trap for both of these reports show the value of controlling blood pressure and improving our vascular health.

I have reported research regarding how exercise can actually develop more brain cells. With heart disease and vascular disease activities that prevent or slowdown the progress of disease is time well spent. I highly recommend forming the habit of walking everyday. I had to replace walking with biking and I've been pretty consistent with it now for about six weeks. I have also been saying no to the two many bad habits I have about food, taking in less calories than I use. Hurrah!

Keeping the blood flow to our brain and arteries open takes little active participation on our part. One day at a time. 

Donavon at reward ceremony

Today I have another grandson, Donovan Sontag graduating from Joliet Central. He is a cool kid. In grade school he had a desire to play soccer. He played for JT his freshman and sophomore years. He had talent, but JT has a lot of good soccer players. He had a knee injury and foot injury and he's still tried to compete for the varsity team but was not selected. He got involved with club soccer and continued to play. He visited a college and had a tryout in which he impressed the coach and was given a tuition cut to play on the team. The JT soccer coach who cut him from varsity did not have the courtesy to recognize the effort of an athlete who fought back from injury to play a sport he loves. I was a coach, and if, a player continued to rehab and make progress in the sport; I still would be glad to talk about his progress at such an event recognizing athletes moving ahead playing in colleges. Whatever was going on in the coaches’ head I am unaware. Thanks to the assistant athletic director for speaking on Donovan’s behalf. For me it is easy, Donavon you had two significant injuries and you rehabbed back to playing again. You got guts kid.

I hope all of can fight back when adversity comes. Keep walking

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/24/well/move/a-1-hour-walk-3-times-a-week-has-benefits-for-dementia.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fhealth&action=click&contentCollection=health&region=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=7&pgtype=sectionfront

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/01/well/move/frequent-brisk-walks-may-aid-those-with-early-alzheimers.html?action=click&contentCollection=Well&module=RelatedCoverage&region=EndOfArticle&pgtype=article