President Biden and I share the same birthday, November 20, 1942. He was born in Scranton, PA, and I was born in Providence, RI. We even shared a joke about it once, long before anyone questioned our ability to perform our jobs due to our age. At the time, he was the Vice President of the United States, and I was a journalist. Currently, President Biden is facing some challenges, and I can relate. The stiff and awkward way he walks is attributed to “wear and tear” on his spine, a condition I understand all too well. I have also experienced excruciating pain from a collapsed vertebra, requiring shots in my spine for relief.
In addition to spinal issues, President Biden and I both deal with atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat that can lead to a stroke. We both take Eliquis for this condition, which can be quite expensive. Furthermore, we both suffer from sleep apnea, causing interrupted sleep patterns and daytime fatigue. Treatment involves wearing a mask connected to a machine that provides continuous positive airway pressure throughout the night. My wife jokingly refers to me as “Mr. Hose Head.”
Aging comes with its challenges, but we both do our best to stay healthy. President Biden exercises five days a week, while I work with a trainer twice a week and aim to walk at least 10,000 steps daily. Despite our physical ailments, they may not necessarily disqualify us from demanding roles. However, there is a less acknowledged aspect of aging that is difficult to confront – cognitive decline.
After spending almost fifty years as a journalist, my ability to write fluently has diminished. Some days, I struggle to recall a specific word, feeling like it’s trapped in the depths of my memory. Occasionally, after a moment of pause, the word will resurface. Other times, I resort to searching for synonyms or reconstructing sentences to compensate for the missing vocabulary. While reading, I often find myself questioning the identity of individuals mentioned by their last name, especially on subsequent references. It’s disheartening to realize that I have read an entire page of a book without retaining any information.
As we age, both physically and mentally, it’s essential to acknowledge and address the challenges that come with it. President Biden and I may share a birth year and health concerns, but we also share a commitment to staying active and engaged. Despite the obstacles, we continue to persevere and adapt to the changes that accompany aging. Thank you for your understanding as we verify access to this content. If you are a reader, please consider logging into your Times account or subscribing for full access to all articles.