Two Old Guys One Community
Communities are Great, Village-ing is Even Better
A place where everyone knows your name and just how bloody brilliant you are! Well, that might be going a bit too far out on that branch, but I think you get my point.
It is often said that our community structure has all but disappeared, and in some ways, it has. Our community fabric, as we remember, has been torn apart and left us with memories of what once was. But that, of course, is just one view. We humans function best when we are embraced by a vibrant, energetic community. Some of you will remember my story on Ian last month, and I have decided to begin this edition with Ian and Friend to show just how community is alive and kicking.
Two Old Guys Leaning into Life
OLD GUY NUMBER 1: IAN THOMPSON
In our vibrant community in Main Beach, Gold Coast, one individual truly stands out: Ian Thompson. At 82 years young, Ian epitomises the spirit and resilience of our community. Though not personally affected by cholangiocarcinoma, Ian has been a steadfast supporter of our cause and foundation that Claire and I founded. His dedication is exemplified by his incredible feat of cycling 100 km and donating $1 for every kilometre ridden, as well as his recent 83 km ride to celebrate his 82nd birthday.
Ian rides not only to live his best life but to be the best husband and to inspire his children and friends. He embodies the opportunities within life and lights the way for us all. You can read more about Ian and his inspiring journey here: /cholangio-challengers-turning-science-to-survival-8750-km-update
OLD GUY NUMBER 2: KEN DRAPER
I recently met another remarkable individual, Ken Draper, who at 84 years old just completed the 10 km Wheelchair event in the Gold Coast marathon. Every day, I saw him out there, strapped into his chair, covering significant distances. Our paths often crossed during my 2-hour rides, and one day I decided to stop and introduce myself.
Ken shared his story with me. He told me he was training for the marathon because he needed a purpose and a goal in life. “Steve, I got rectal cancer, and the chemo paralysed me, and then I had a stroke. I am not giving up. It keeps me out of the house until 3 pm—too many memories. My wife died at Christmas time from Parkinson’s, and my eldest son died last August of pancreatic cancer. Steve, I can do this. The cut-off time is 1 hr 40 min, and I have done it in 1 hr 50 min. They are not going to clear me off the track. I’m getting across that finish line for my family—they need me to do this.”
Ken’s determination was further tested when he had a bad training accident just ten days before the event. He flipped headfirst out of his chair when his wheel fell into a pothole, resulting in a bad black eye and two very swollen knees. Despite these injuries, Ken declared, “I am still doing this—no matter what.” And he did it. Ken finished the marathon and is now taking a well-deserved week off, planning to be back out there next week.
In these stories of Ian and Ken, we see the vibrant heartbeat of our community. It’s in the small acts of kindness, the shared struggles, and the collective celebrations that we find our sense of belonging. These two old guys, leaning into life with all they’ve got, remind us that community is not just a memory of the past, but a living, breathing force that continues to inspire and unite us all – Community as in the opportunity of life will always be found in the next step and the one beyond that.
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