Page 8 - Palm City Spotlight - August '24

Page 8, Palm City Spotlight

book review

“The Book of Charlie: For that man was Charlie There were many highs and lows in a life as long as this.
And witnessing them over more than a century through
White, already 102 years
Wisdom from the Remarkable of age—a retired physician Charlie’s eyes is a remarkable experience, especially in
Life of a 109-Year-Old Man” who had been born before the words of such a gifted writer. As just a few of many,
many examples:
the invention of radio and
lived long enough to use Dr. Charlie White’s medical career began in the depths
By Nils A. Shapiro a smartphone; a man born of the Great Depression of the early 1930s, when making
David Von Drehle was soon after the first flight of house calls was a typical way to treat patients. The situation
already a noted writer—a the Wright Brothers who sometimes called for the emergency removal of a child’s
columnist and editor at the later watched man’s landing tonsils. At such and similar occasions, parents who literally
Washington Post and author on the moon, and whose could not afford a nickel in payment instead invited the
of four earlier successful own medical practice began doctor for dinner or offered anything he would like to take
books—when he decided to before the discovery of from their cupboard.
move with his wife and four penicillin, was limited to Charlie had a tough childhood. His father, whom he loved
young children to Kansas City, comforting the patient so dearly, was a pastor. One day, when the man was entering
Missouri. But he had no idea that the body could heal itself…and continued through the the elevator in an office building the inexperienced operator
when he first met the elderly discovery of antibiotics and today’s latest pharmaceutical of the elevator accidentally raised it and Charlie’s father
neighbor who lived in the and surgical advances. slipped and fell many floors into the empty chute and was
house across the street, who said he was “washing his girlfriend’s But from the friendship that developed between these killed. Charlie’s mother was left with five children and no
car, that it was a moment that would change his life forever. two men, and which prompted this bestselling book, was the source of income.
author’s evolving awareness of the extraordinary wisdom One of Charlie’s high school buddies owned a 1917
and positive philosophy that had enabled Charlie White to Model T Ford touring car with bicycle fenders, Chesterfield
kids survive all that life had placed in his path those many years. seats and a fold-up canopy. Several of the guys decided to
He had taken to heart the lesson his mother had taught him
set out for California after their graduation in May 1922,
from an early age: Do the right thing.
description of that trip includes instructions on how to drive
For David Von Drehle, this became an opportunity to taking on farm work to pay their way cross country. The
CorNer pass along to his own children the kinds of lessons he had that Model T.
Charlie volunteered and served in the U.S. Army Air
always hoped he could provide for them.
The following excerpt makes it clear that everyone Force. When anesthesia was discovered as a way to ease
fortunate enough to read this wonderful book can derive patients’ suffering, he was trained in its application and
Autism Or Just An that same benefit: became one of the military’s leading anesthesiologists,
training many others under his command.
“Charlie was a man of science. As a physician, he knew
Awkward Kid? how the human body goes—and how it stops. He was the first Charlie was married more than once. Life was not always
to say that his extraordinary life span was a fluke of genetics ideal. In his final years he was interviewed many times by
By Jim Forgan, Ph.D., and fortune. Still, as I’ve reflected on this remarkable the media and asked about his philosophy of life. “I haven’t
Licensed School friend, I’ve come to see that he was more than a living given it much thought,” he would reply, except to add that
Psychologist history lesson, and more than just the winner of a genetic his mother’s advice to “Do the right thing” covers a lot of
A concerned mom Powerball. He was a case study in how to thrive—not just situations. But among the items Charlie’s family found when
came to me seeking survive but thrive—through any span of years, short or long. he was gone was a single sheet of notepaper on which he
insights on her son’s People often asked him about the secret of longevity, and had written a list of 15 definitive rules that serve perfectly
behavior. She explained, Charlie was always scrupulously honest: there’s no secret, as a guide to a successful life.
“Sometimes Joseph can just luck. But if he knew no secrets to a long life, he knew I will list only five here and urge you to read this book
seem zoned out and plenty about a happy life. Through tragedy and loss, poverty to get the full terrific story…and the other ten secrets you
not always in tune with and setbacks, missteps and blown chances, he maintained a will want to know of Charlie’s well-lived life:
what is going on around steadiness, an evenness, and a self-reliance that today might Savor special moments.
him. He can be socially be called resilience. He had a gift for seizing joy, grabbing Cry when you need to.
awkward at times. He can also be so hyper-focused on opportunities, and holding on to things that matter. And he Feel Deeply.
something like his hobby and interest. He can get easily had an unusual knack for an even more difficult task: letting Take a chance.
bored and likes to be pretty active all of the time which go of all the rest.” Enjoy wonder.
is a good thing but sometimes it is hard for him to relax.”
This mom wanted to know if her son might have autism, Advertise in This Newspaper! Call 561.746.3244
ADHD, or anxiety so she knew how to best support him.
Upon meeting Joseph for the first time, he presented as Check out our website! www.seabreezepublications.com
a well-groomed and athletic adolescent. He was slightly
rigid in his social mannerisms as if he had been taught skills
such as greeting someone by looking them in the eye and
shaking their hand. While this was an appropriate behavior,
his interaction came across as scripted or practiced. While
talking with him I learned he had an advanced vocabulary and
could converse about many different topics. He understood
humor and idioms such as, “She let the cat out of the bag.”
My school neuropsychological testing with Joseph
revealed two main contributing factors. First, he had low
cognitive flexibility which is a fancy term for flexible
thinking. His mental rigidity contributed to him being a
blacker and whiter thinker. He saw things his way which
created his social awkwardness. The second factor was
slower processing speed which helped explain why he
seemed zoned out at times. In certain situations, Joseph Three Ways to Vote
quickly used up his mental fuel which resulted in mental
fatigue. When this occurred he disengaged and seemed 2024 Election Date: — Choose One!
out of touch with what was going on around him. Fecha de las elecciones de 2024
I helped create a plan and recommended activities he
could do to improve these areas. Mom planned to share Vote by Mail
the report with his school. Call (561) 625-4125 if you are Primary Election
concerned about your child and would like understanding
and answers. Our website is JimForgan.com. August 20, 2024 Vote Early
August 10 -17 at the Elections Office or
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Elisabeth Lahti Library 8AM-5PM Daily
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