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They did it before, now they're doing it again. The generation that influenced civil rights, corporate America, and space exploration has the opportunity to make a big social change once more, according to Bill Novelli, AARP CEO. In his new book, "50+ Igniting a Revolution to Reinvent America," Novelli discusses how a resurgence of social, political and personal activism by today's baby boomers is setting in motion a revolution to reinvent our country.
"'50+' tells the stories of inspirational people who have embraced the gift of longer life and have returned the gift many times over. Many are doing it by redefining retirement and pursuing a lifelong passion and they're making a difference in the process," says Novelli.
Together, the nation's 78 million baby boomers have tremendous power to affect lasting change, including helping to transform health care, reinvent retirement, revolutionize the workplace, build communities to age comfortably in, advocate for a cause and leave a lasting legacy.
Many boomers are already discovering how they can change their lives and make a difference in their community and the nation.
John Kossnar began contemplating and preparing for his retirement long before taking it. He went back to school, enrolling in the Great Books program and then in a master's program at the University of Chicago, thinking he might teach part-time at a local college after he left his job. Today, Kossnar does teach part-time, but not in the way he imagined. He is a high school substitute teacher, using his expertise to mold young minds and to help them discover great books for themselves.
Boomers are also leaving lasting legacies while giving back to the community. Mike Mulligan is using his passion for flying helicopters to help those in need. Surviving cancer led him to rethink his life, at which point Mulligan joined Angel Flight, a group of volunteer pilots who fly patients and their relatives at no charge to medical centers for procedures like organ transplants. Once a hobby, flying has now become a way of life for Mulligan.
Don Schoendorfer is giving back to the global community. Haunted by the memory of a disabled Moroccan woman he once saw dragging herself across the street by her fingertips, this mechanical engineer decided to make wheelchairs accessible to all. Using an average plastic lawn chair with a welded frame, industrial casters and mountain bike wheels, he invented a sturdy, cheap wheelchair that could be distributed to the poor and disabled worldwide. He started producing them out of his garage and persuaded missionaries to deliver them to those in need.
Schoendorfer eventually left his job to pursue his dream full-time. Today, he runs Free Wheelchair Mission, which builds and ships wheelchairs anywhere in the world for $41, compared to $500 or more for a commercial wheelchair. To date, more than 63,000 people in 45 nations have been given the gift of mobility through Schoendorfer's invention. By 2010, he hopes to make 20 million chairs available to almost a fifth of the developing world's disabled people.
People don't have to change their lives in big ways to make a difference. Small changes also count. Whether it's saving more money, exercising more, eating healthier, changing work habits, volunteering in the community or voicing an opinion to state and federal representatives, all can contribute to a better future.
"It's important that we consciously consider how to make the most of our years ahead. To find out how you can improve your life or the community, first examine your life, interests and passions and that will help you discover your own opportunities to make a difference," says Novelli.
Social, political and personal activism by today's baby boomers is setting in motion a revolution to reinvent the nation. |
| Author: Stacey Moore |
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Author Bio:
Products that earn the ENERGY STAR prevent greenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. EPA and DOE. For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov. Using energy efficiently at home can be as easy as changing a light bulb. |
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