AgeVenture News Service  Doris Hicks, age 80, of San Angelo, Texas always encouraged her daughters to do whatever they believed in, not minding what they chose to do in life, as long as they excelled in whatever they did. Doris chose swimming as her own passion, and she has been swimming for most of her life.
After participating in the 1997 State Senior Games at the age of 77 she did not feel well. She checked into the hospital and had a triple by-pass and valve replacement. Subsequently, she was in a coma for 27 days and in the ICU for 56 days. Ten days after walking out of the hospital without the assistance of cane or walker, she returned to the pool, and has not looked back since. Only two years after her surgery, Doris won a gold medal in the 50 yd backstroke at the State Senior Games. This retired teacher has touched the lives of her family and many members of the community. Doris volunteers for many organizations, and has shown by example what it means to be a loving, caring, compassionate human being and proving you can do anything you really want to do. Margaret Locken, of San Angelo, Texas nominated Doris for the BlueCross BlueShield Ageless Heroes program which honors outstanding seniors, says BlueCross BlueShield CEO, Scott Serota. The lives of these Ageless Heroes, says Serota, serve as an inspiration to all generations. The Ageless Heroes Awards Program was created in 1998 to celebrate the spirit and vitality of the nation's seniors and to showcase Blue Cross and Blue Shield's commitment to healthy aging. Photo Credit: BlueCross BlueShield. |
