Fantastic Finds Info

“Someone turn that TV down.” I demanded in frustration.  ” I can’t concentrate and  balance this checkbook with that thing yelling at me!”  Then I realized that I was the only one in the house.  After muttering a few choice words,  I backed my wheelchair away from the computer, located the remote control and turned the monster down–but not before my eye caught  a demonstration of amateursbeing taught to set gemstone jewelry. “Looks like fun,” I told myself.  For a moment I dared to think that I could do that. Then all the excuses reared their ugly heads.  You are handicapped.  You are wheelchair bound.  You have severe arthritis in your hands.  Your hands shake sometimes!  I justified all of this kind of thinking with old generalization–You can’t teach an old dog new tricks, and this old dog was 83!  ”Oh, forget it!” I told myself out loud. But the idea just hung around, so I decided to prove once and for all that I could not learn this art.

“Teach me to make a ring like this I have on,” I pointed to the ruby ring on my finger.  The retired master jewelry designer I had called on for help looked at me like I was out of my mind. And to tell you the truth, I was thinking the same thing!

“Fay, you are 83 years old.  That is too old to learn this skill.  Find something easier.  It took me years to gain that skill, and I was a young pup then,” my friend cautioned.

“You are probably right,” I countered,” but pretend I am 30 and try anyway.I need to know if I can do it. I need to know if I can learn something that is brand new to me.”

In the next few months, I broke prongs, set stones crooked and made other boo-boos.  But I was challenged to finally do it right.  Then the fun began.  I spent hours actually enjoying myself in the sun room where I had set  up shop.  I was so proud of each item I made correctly! When my hands got shaky I just quit for a while.  When the arthritis caused my hands to ache unbearably, I dealt with the pain, and went on.  My mentor was amazed at my success!  So was I!  And so am I today after creating about 500 pieces.  Each one was unusual and each was unique!  And the most important thing–I made each one!  What a heavenly feeling!

You can’t teach an old dog new tricks?  Don’t be so sure. The older learner absorbs new skills in a different way than younger ones do.  They need more demonstration and  practice with the new addition to their store of knowledge.  But, old dogs can learn new tricks–and they do so with gusto!

PS: In past years this writer  was a recognized authority on adult learning ability.  I am sure she would like to hear your thoughts on the subject.  Do you think that old learners can master new skills?  Just try!