[PHOTOSTORY 4: STRUGGLE] Struggle of getting older

By: Jamie Deloach

Mary Ellis is a 79-year old woman who lives by herself. Her recent health has caused her to walk with a walker as you see.

She is not able to do some of the tasks that she was  once able to do. She has special rails built in her bathroom for help.

                    

This rail is designed from going to and from the bathroom.

Even with her older age she was still able to do a lot of things. Late last year was the start of her not being able to do these things after being in the hospital.

Even with her struggles she still tries to keep a positive attitude. She keeps her self busy with magazines and other books.

She uses her walker to get around, she has knee problems that have wildered her for many years.

    

She is able to cook but only some dishes that are not as time consuming. Her children often come by to bring her meals and things.

This picture is Ellis getting something in the kitchen. "I usually only cook meals that are easy or meals where I don't have to stand and watch over the food," said Ellis.

    

                           The walker is convenient for holding things as Ellis walks around the house    

Ellis has two different walkers that she uses. "This is the walker that I use when I go out in public," said Ellis.

She explained how different it was for her to go to the transition of asking people for help. "It was hard for me because I'm used to doing everything myself," said Ellis.

    

She also talked about how easily she gets tired. She even took a break from walking to sit down in the kitchen.

While taking a break Ellis still stays productive and takes out her trash.

Do to her being sick some of the side affects have been hair loss. " I used to have long pretty hair, but at the beginning of the year it started to fall out," said Ellis.

    

Despite suffering from arthritis and diabetes and more Ellis still tries to have a good day.

Ellis talked about all the things she used to do when she was younger. " I use to go out with my friends and all, but now I just  sit in the house all day," said Ellis.

   Most of the time she uses the hand-held house phone, because it can be difficult for her to get up and move to pick up the phone.

    

To eat she usually uses this tray. Her daughter helps her with moving the tray for her.

    She was taking medicine before but not has to take even more.

 Since her last diagnosis the doctor ordered her to take much just for her to be able to function properly.