In honor of Senior Health and Fitness Day (which was last week) and Memorial Day (which was on Monday), we thought this week would be a great time to introduce you to one of THA Group’s former patients.

Meet William Davis.  Mr. Davis was one of the original residents at Riverside at Belfair in Bluffton, South Carolina, and surely he remains one of the favorites!  Mr. Davis has had a life full of rich experiences, but also one peppered with illness and injury that have proved challenging in later years.  However, as you’ll see in the video posted at the end of this blog, Mr. Davis’ gait and activity level are strong thanks to a regular exercise regimen and physical therapy.

William Davis was born in 1920.  When he was eleven years old — just about the time that Franklin Delano Roosevelt ascended to the presidency and the iron lung was invented, Davis contracted Polio.  Although he survived the disease, Davis had to remain out of school for nearly a year, and also had to re-learn how to walk.  He gained strength, and ultimately graduated from Villanova University and then the Merchant Marine Academy in 1943.  Davis was commissioned as an Ensign and served four years in the South Pacific during World War II.

in the 1950s, following his military service, Davis had a great career on Madison Avenue in New York City (think AMC’s Mad Men — at least the advertising industry aspect of it!).  He handled the alcohol advertising for Look! magazine and then worked for awhile in the newspaper business.  Unfortunately, as a result of contracting Polio, his right side remained weak, and he sustained some pretty severe injuries including a shattered ankle and a broken hip.  Davis’ balance was compromised. City commuter train travel and cold weather further impeded his physical health, and he ultimately took early retirement, although he did not want to.

Fast forward to the twenty-first century.  Davis and his wife chose to move to the new, vibrant, senior living facility in Bluffton, South Carolina, Riverside at Belfair, where Davis is still a resident today.  Although his bright face and witty personality belie his age of 90 years, he needs to work hard to keep his body fit.  Davis is prone to losing his balance and is considered a serious fall risk.  In fact, the likelihood of falling is so great, that his physician referred him to in-home physical therapy (provided by THA Group) as opposed to outpatient treatment.

Mr. Davis’ gait and overall physical health are very good, thanks to the therapy.  His daughter notes that in addition to encouraging mobility, therapy and exercise keep his spirits up.

Adding with a little wry tongue-in-cheek humor, Mr. Davis says it best, “I’m ninety-years old, so I’m not about to run in the Olympics . . . I’m breathing in an out . . .[but] I’ll never make Admiral!”

Willian Davis and Kathleen Kamrada

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