flicker photo superimposed on photos of Sergei's class, November 2010.I went to a Healthy Living class at the university a few nights ago, taught by my friend Sergei, who manages my favorite computer store. I expressed interest and Sergei invited me. This class is given every year for incoming freshman. Drug abuse, HIV/AIDS, family violence, and alcoholism are major problems in Ukraine, and Starobelsk is not immune. Many PCVs work with these issues and at-risk populations. I've wanted to do something here too but have been unsure where to begin.
So I attended Sergei's class. He is an excellent teacher, informative, calm and confident. The class of 20 freshman, average age about 17, featured good discussion. I think there was more give-and-take than is usual in a Ukrainian classroom, lots of interesting conversation (in Russian but I got some of it) The DVDs that Sergei shows helped stimulate discussion. They are contemporary, fast-paced, full of rap, rock and animation, with serious and graphic messages against drug use, violence, disrespect for others, sex without protection. "Drugs and the porn life equal death" one documentary warned, showing relentless images of beautiful young people who have died from overdoses, violence and drug abuse, a message punctuated by thumping rap music.
Sergei's list of the “10 Most Important Things for a Healthy Lifestyle” contains all the usual prescriptions: Eat well, exercise, don't smoke, don't drink alcohol, don't do drugs, practice safe sex, moderation in everything. I added “have positive attitudes and strong values.”
Like everything else these days, Sergei’s class reminded me of Loren. Loren was not in good health, and maybe we didn't do enough to help him. Heart disease is the #1 cause of death in the US; here in Ukraine too. Loren’s death was avoidable, but he could not control his weight gain. His eating habits were bad, his cholesterol high, his blood pressure high. We knew he had these issues, but I guess we didn’t know how bad they were. We reminded him about them, though, time and again and again, but Loren couldn't do it alone. It makes me sad. Loren was not healthy, and as I’ve written before, his overburdened heart overcame his impassioned will.
We did get him a physical trainer at Gold's gym, Steve, who was fantastic, devoted to helping Loren. But Loren could not or would not change his bad eating habits, no matter what Steve tried. Andy was there, right on it, checking with Steve and Loren almost daily. I reinforced Steve’s mighty efforts, cheering Loren from the sidelines. Could I have done more? My daughter Elissa said, "Mom, Loren was an Aspie, but he was an adult," reassuring me that really there wasn't much I could have done to prevent Loren's heart attack. I don't know. I have deep regrets about this, and about the loneliness he assuaged with food. Ah Loren, how could I have been a better sister? How could I have helped? Maybe I should have stayed home, in Florida? If only you knew how loved you were.
And so I left Sergei's class hoping these young students get the message, and wondering how I might have helped Loren get the message. Sergei and I walked home together in the silence of the night, gold trees shimmering against a black sky, beauty everywhere. Loren’s spirit everywhere. Sergei’s good work a shining light. Everything is bittersweet these day, but Sergei's commitment to addressing a serious social problem brought me back to the present. It's important work, and Loren would have thought so, too. Now I wonder if there's more we can do in Starobelsk to bring Sergei's class to a wider audience.
Sergei's list of the “10 Most Important Things for a Healthy Lifestyle” contains all the usual prescriptions: Eat well, exercise, don't smoke, don't drink alcohol, don't do drugs, practice safe sex, moderation in everything. I added “have positive attitudes and strong values.”
Like everything else these days, Sergei’s class reminded me of Loren. Loren was not in good health, and maybe we didn't do enough to help him. Heart disease is the #1 cause of death in the US; here in Ukraine too. Loren’s death was avoidable, but he could not control his weight gain. His eating habits were bad, his cholesterol high, his blood pressure high. We knew he had these issues, but I guess we didn’t know how bad they were. We reminded him about them, though, time and again and again, but Loren couldn't do it alone. It makes me sad. Loren was not healthy, and as I’ve written before, his overburdened heart overcame his impassioned will.
We did get him a physical trainer at Gold's gym, Steve, who was fantastic, devoted to helping Loren. But Loren could not or would not change his bad eating habits, no matter what Steve tried. Andy was there, right on it, checking with Steve and Loren almost daily. I reinforced Steve’s mighty efforts, cheering Loren from the sidelines. Could I have done more? My daughter Elissa said, "Mom, Loren was an Aspie, but he was an adult," reassuring me that really there wasn't much I could have done to prevent Loren's heart attack. I don't know. I have deep regrets about this, and about the loneliness he assuaged with food. Ah Loren, how could I have been a better sister? How could I have helped? Maybe I should have stayed home, in Florida? If only you knew how loved you were.
And so I left Sergei's class hoping these young students get the message, and wondering how I might have helped Loren get the message. Sergei and I walked home together in the silence of the night, gold trees shimmering against a black sky, beauty everywhere. Loren’s spirit everywhere. Sergei’s good work a shining light. Everything is bittersweet these day, but Sergei's commitment to addressing a serious social problem brought me back to the present. It's important work, and Loren would have thought so, too. Now I wonder if there's more we can do in Starobelsk to bring Sergei's class to a wider audience.
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