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Change takes more than talk: Walk the
walk
My local chapter of PEF Retirees is in Region 1 — home of the mighty Niagara
Falls and the serpentine gorge that connects Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.
The region has a wealth of history that includes legendary daredevils who have
challenged the falls.
Some of the most remarkable feats were accomplished by Jean Francois Gravelet,
known as “The Great Blondin.” In 1859, he was the first tightrope walker to
traverse the Niagara gorge. He performed many stunts, incredibly riding a
bicycle on the rope and walking across blindfolded.
Legend has it that on one occasion, after a successful walk, he was greeted with
resounding cheers from the assembled crowd. Blondin asked them if they believed
he could make a return walk. They all shouted, “Yes!” He then asked if they
believed he could make it pushing a wheelbarrow. Once again, they screamed,
“Yes!” Then, he asked who would ride in the wheelbarrow. Silence.
It brings to mind the phrase: “Don’t just talk the talk; walk the walk.” It
means we should do more than talk about our values and goals, we should put our
efforts and energy into them.
Everyone can do it; and seniors have surprised many with their accomplishments.
Take retired school teacher Annie Edson Taylor — the first person to survive
going over Niagara Falls in a barrel. She did it on her 63rd birthday: October
24, 1901.
Some social scientists theorize civilization could not advance until the human
lifespan grew long enough for elders to pass on their valuable insights,
experiences and wisdom to the next generation.
Many feel there is no greater or more critical time to pass on this senior
knowledge to society than today. An effective way to do this is to use our PEF
and PEF Retirees organizations.
The power of our unions and the affiliated retiree groups lies in our ability to
work together for our mutual benefit. If you want to achieve more secure health
care benefits and an enhanced cost-of-living adjustment to our pensions, you
must “walk the walk.”
Start by getting active in your local PEF Retirees chapter. Summer is a good
time to visit your state senator and Assembly member in their district offices
and ask what they are doing about protecting our retirement health care
benefits.
Will you ‘Walk the walk’ with PEF Retirees?
When you retire, anytime after March 2006, PEF will pay for your first year of
membership in PEF Retirees. Starting this August 1, annual dues renewal will be
$18 by automatic pension deduction or $21 by check.
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