Retirement comes with the pleasure of not having to wake up early just to be at work on time. Also, it gives any retiree freedom from almost every aspect of life.
However, this grandmother thought that her role in helping her community is far from over.
Meet the 66-year-old grandmother, Gail Rodgers.
In a truly touching story about community spirit and determination, Gail Rodgers, a 66-year-old grandmother of three and mother of two, has defied her age and stepped up to become a lifeguard at her local pool in Ohio. The pool had been unable to open due to a shortage of lifeguards, but Rodgers saw an opportunity to make a difference.
Having trained as a lifeguard over 50 years ago but never having worked in the role, Rodgers recognized the need to brush up on her skills. Reflecting on the differences between lifeguarding then and now, she shared with ABC News, “The lifeguard back then would sit in the chair and might blow the whistle occasionally… They had no props, no flotation device, all they had was a whistle. So they were really more police than anything else.”
Determined to meet the challenge, she underwent pre-certification and full training, including learning CPR and how to use an AED, to ensure she was fully prepared for her new role.
At 66, passing the physical exam could be quite a task for Rodgers.
The physical examination to become a lifeguard is no easy feat, as Jeff Blume, president of Cincinnati Pool Management and Rodgers’ boss, explained. Candidates are required to swim a 300-yard length, tread water for a specific duration, swim a length, and retrieve a 10-pound brick from the pool’s bottom.
Rodgers overcame these hurdles through sheer grit and perseverance, earning her position as a part-time lifeguard on May 27.
Since joining the team, Rodgers has found immense joy in watching families and individuals enjoy the pool and the pleasant weather. “
It’s been a lot better and more pleasant than I expected it to be,” she expressed.
A dedicated lifeguard and life-saver.
Her dedication has also brought joy to her boss, Blume, who considers her an invaluable addition to the team.
“These individuals don’t walk in your door that often, so you cherish when they do walk in the door and what they bring to the table,” he shared.
He emphasized that for Rodgers, lifeguarding is not just a job but an experience, highlighting the significance of her contribution.
Blume acknowledged that fear often holds people back from pursuing lifeguarding or similar opportunities, and he finds Rodgers to be an inspiring example of courage. He believes that if more individuals realized there was support available to help them develop the necessary skills, the daunting skills test would appear more manageable.
With lifeguard shortages continuing to pose challenges across the country, Blume and Rodgers hope that her story will inspire others to consider taking up lifeguarding, bolstering the pool of skilled individuals dedicated to ensuring water safety.
Gail Rodgers, the fearless grandmother who defied expectations and embraced a new chapter as a lifeguard, reminds us that age should never be a barrier to pursuing our passions and making a positive impact in our communities.
Learn more about this amazing story by watching the video below.
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