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Club MED
March 2025
Mason’s Birthday And All the Things I’ve Learned
I write this on Mason’s birthday — Feb. 17. He is 32.
Some of you may remember me mentioning Mason, my stepson, in a previous newsletter. Many of you have asked how he is doing. I wish I had a better answer: that he’s on the mend and things are returning to what they were before. But that would not be accurate. Since I last wrote, I’ve learned more about epilepsy, brain injuries, and comas than I ever wanted to know. I’ve learned a person can be in a coma with their eyes wide open. That consciousness isn’t always what it appears to be. That progress is measured in the simplest of things — whether he can say his name, whether he can follow a command, whether he understands where he is. Mason moved back home with us a few months ago. Most days, he is in his bed or wheelchair. He can say words, sometimes short phrases. His world is reduced to “yeses” and “noes.” But in the quiet moments, when music plays, something awakens in him. He sings his ABCs, hums along to “100 Bottles of Beer on the Wall,” and even mumbles through a few Journey songs. It’s not conversation. But it’s something. His body, however, is as fragile as his mind is lost. He doesn’t understand his limitations. He doesn’t grasp why he can’t simply get up and walk like he used to. And when he tries, the falls come — hard and unforgiving. His bones, weak from months of inactivity, fracture easily. Since April, there have been too many breaks to count.
And then there’s the anger.
And let me tell you — he’s got a good right cross. You can see it coming a mile away, but still.
Mason doesn’t understand why he can’t do what he wants. Why we stop him. Why can’t he do the things he knows he should be able to do? His frustration comes out in bursts of punching, kicking, and biting. I won’t lie: The first time he hit me, I was furious. Mason is 6’4”, and when he kicks, he connects . After the second shot to the groin, I quickly learned to approach his wheelchair from the side. I grew up with brothers, so I’m accustomed to punches in the face, but it’s been a while. Unfortunately, most of the staff who help care for Mason don’t have my experience in blocking a right cross.
A few weeks ago, pneumonia hit him hard. His oxygen levels plummeted, and we had to call an ambulance. In the hospital, he fought — biting one attendant, kicking another, trying to climb out of his bed even when he was too weak to stand. Then, early on a Saturday morning, the hospital called.
They were discharging him.
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GETTING OUTSIDE CAN HELP YOU FEEL BETTER WOOD YOU BE-LEAF IT?!
Many of us neglect our mental health because we’ve desensitized ourselves to stress, instead teaching ourselves to “white knuckle” through the day. However, if you knew a better way to manage your stress, you could loosen the reigns more, right? Well, when was the last time you spent some time outside? Whether it’s going on a hike, tending to your garden, or riding a bike, research reveals the positive effects on your mental health of spending time outdoors. IMPROVED OVERALL MOOD Everyone occasionally falls into a “funk.” And while it’s normal to experience that mood at times, it shouldn’t be a constant feeling.
A 2010 study revealed that exercising in nature for just five minutes improved self-esteem and overall mood. Experiencing nature often makes people feel grounded and more connected to the Earth, leading to feelings of happiness and a sense of purpose. A separate study revealed that participants who went on nature walks had increased positive emotions after the walk. POSITIVE BRAIN STIMULATION When you spend time outdoors, taking in the sunlight and fresh air, your body releases the feel-good hormone serotonin in return. Many antidepressant medications work by inhibiting reabsorption of this key neurotransmitter. Additionally, sunlight activates melatonin release, which helps regulate our internal clock. The more sunlight we get each day, the more our bodies know when it’s time to go to bed. ENHANCED FOCUS AND ATTENTION Whether at home or in the office, our brains can go a mile a minute, focusing on everything except the task at hand. While you’re supposed to be working on a PowerPoint presentation, your brain thinks about the new tire you need and the pile of dirty dishes in the sink. A 2020 study found that spending time in nature can calm the mind, allowing for enhanced focus. Further studies on outdoor play settings stated that children with ADHD were calmer after playing in green spaces than in other settings. There is no love in this world like a mother’s love for her child. It is fierce and unbreakable, and it is beautiful. And yet, even the strongest mother has her limits. I worry about her more than I worry about Mason. Mason is fighting his own battles in whatever dream state he’s trapped in. But Bev? Bev is living this nightmare in real time. The exhaustion. The stress. The heartbreak. I don’t know what the future holds. Progress is slow, almost imperceptible. But there is progress. And for now, that has to be enough.
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He was not better or healed, but they couldn’t handle him anymore. Please come get him.
I didn’t know you could get kicked out of a hospital when you were sick. I’m learning a lot of new things.
The state of Nebraska has been an incredible support. I’ll never complain about our taxes again. Mason needs full-time care — more than one person can provide — but the state gives us 140 hours a week of in-home assistance. It’s not enough, but it’s something.
Thank you for your kindness, your prayers, and your support.
The rest falls on us. And by “us,” I mostly mean Bev. Bev, my wife. His mother. The force that keeps him alive.
Somewhere in the pain, exhaustion, and uncertainty — there is grace. There is grace in all of this.
She is with him always . Even when sitters are here, she is the one holding him, comforting him, and monitoring his every breath. She does this while working from home as a physical therapist for veterans in remote locations. She is tireless — superhuman. I fell in love with Bev years ago for many reasons, but her strength was one of them. And I have never seen her shine as much as she does now.
And love.
–Christopher J. Grimmond
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Doggy Fashion Show Winners! IT’S A TIE! PENNY & TOBY ARE THE WINNERS OF THE DOGGY FASHION SHOW! Special thanks to their humans, Anna & Hollie.
Over the last century, vast improvements in public health have led to nearly doubling the average human lifespan. Now, researchers are targeting even greater gains to slow the aging process and prevent dementia. At Columbia University, one research team is using animal models to explore techniques to change brain activity in areas that coordinate circadian rhythms. By improving sleep, scientists believe they may be able to reduce the risk of dementia, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Other researchers are analyzing lab data from patients’ medical records to calculate biological age and assess its value in predicting health risks and improving care planning. At Yale University, scientists are studying rodents that live long lives to determine the metabolites that may slow the aging process. Researchers are also looking at how to slow the organ damage caused by inflammation or changes in blood supply, which are common problems in old age. New technologies such as genome sequencing and machine learning have helped spur advances in aging research. At the Buck Institute for Research on Aging near Novato, California, scientists are analyzing large data sets from fruit flies and humans to identify the central metabolites that shape the lifespan in both species. They have identified one metabolite, threonine, as a potential therapeutic for interventions in aging. Artificial intelligence and systems biology enabled these researchers to skip testing mice, which is usually essential in determining whether discoveries apply to humans. Aging research has evolved in both scope and purpose. The latest efforts bring together scientists from many fields who have seldom collaborated. The initiatives reflect a growing awareness that disease is not necessarily part of the aging process. Rather than simply increasing people’s lifespan, scientists focus on improving the “health span,” or years lived free of disability and disease. The goal is to keep older people around longer and maximize seniors’ natural generativity — the natural human desire at later stages of life to improve the world and support younger generations. Researchers also hope to reduce the burden of disease, as people over 65 are on track to outnumber those 18 and younger within the next decade. THE CUTTING-EDGE SCIENCE OF SLOWING AGING BREAKING THE GRIP OF TIME
Penny
Toby
Inspired by AllRecipes.com
Turkey Delight for Your Pup
Our dogs want everything we eat — especially the unhealthy foods! This homemade treat is vet-approved and will satisfy the taste buds of the even pickiest pups.
Ingredients • 1 lb ground turkey
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• 6 cups water
• 1/2 (16-oz) package frozen broccoli,
• 2 cups brown rice
carrots, and cauliflower combination
Directions 1. In a large Dutch oven over high heat, combine ground turkey, water, brown rice, and rosemary. 2. Stir until the ground turkey is broken up and evenly distributed throughout the mixture. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes.
3. Add frozen vegetables and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Remove from heat and cool.
4. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
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INSIDE This Issue
Thank You, Everyone, for Your Support
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The Effects of Getting Outdoors on Our Mental Health
2
Scientists Team Up to Redefine Healthy Aging
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Turkey Delight for Your Pup
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A Chef’s Truest Triumph
For culinary creators worldwide, earning a Michelin star is like winning an Olympic gold medal. Chefs with excellent kitchen skills and outstanding customer service receive the honor. Late French chef Joël Robuchon holds the world record with 31, while TV star Gordon Ramsay rose to international fame and marked his hot-tempered journey to TV stardom by achieving 17 stars for his many restaurants. But how did this legendary distinction in the cooking world begin? If you’ve ever had the pleasure of dining at a Michelin-honored establishment, you have the automotive industry to thank. As its name implies, the star system was the brainchild of the Michelin tire company. To help inspire consumers to drive more — and increase the demand for tire purchases — it began publishing “The Michelin Guide” in France in 1900. The publication included maps, tips on tire care, and recommendations for hotels and restaurants along popular French travel routes. As the guide grew in popularity, the company expanded its content to include anonymous restaurant reviews. In 1926, it introduced “the Michelin star” to recognize the eateries it considered the best in the Michelin Magic The Mark of Culinary Mastery
country. Today, the bestselling publication reviews more than 40,000 restaurants across three continents. Only 146 restaurants worldwide — or less than 1% of those rated by the guide — have received three Michelin stars. In Ramsay’s mind, receiving that rare level remains the ultimate benchmark in his profession. As he stated in a 2024 article in Parade, “As a soccer player, I wanted an FA Cup winner’s medal. As an actor, you want an Oscar. As a chef, it’s three Michelin stars; there’s no greater than that.”
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