2023 Games Offers Special Programs and Health Resources
A movie premiere, photography displays and several health and well-being activities are available to participants during the 2023 National Senior Games presented by Humana in Pittsburgh.
“Team Dream” Documentary – Pittsburgh Premiere
7/12/2023, 7:30 PM
Row House Cinema, 4115 Butler St, Pittsburgh, PA 15201
The Team Dream documentary released last year has gained notoriety by winning film festival prizes, audience acclaim and being the subject of several positive media features.
Team Dream is the first documentary short from the 2022 Queen Collective program, executive produced by Queen Latifah. The film follows two African American senior swimmers, Ann Smith, 82, and Madeline Murphy Rabb, 77 as they prepared and then competed in the 2022 National Senior Games. The film reveals that nothing – not age, not race, and certainly not Chicago’s notorious weather – would stop them from training and achieving their goal to swim in national competition. Athletes and older adults will see themselves in the film as they see the joy, sacrifice, victories, and personal histories portrayed in this age affirming film.
Senior Games Images: Steel City Youth Impressions
7/15-7/18: Athlete Village, David Lawrence Convention Center
In honor of Olympic Day, Art Of The Olympians photographer Marc Serota and artist Julie Rainbow, MFA, will guide Pittsburgh Youth Ambassadors and Manchester Bidwell Guild youth in capturing the wonder and joy of older adults participating in National Senior Games. Selected Senior Game athlete photographs and specially curated works of Marc Serota will be on display.
Health and Well-Being Resources in The Village
Aging Well Pittsburgh Partners Day
Athlete Village, David Lawrence Convention Center: 7/13
The Village will especially celebrate local older adults and agencies that provide age friendly services throughout greater Pittsburgh:
- Age Friendly Greater Pittsburgh
- Area Agency on Aging of Alleghany County
- Federal Trade Commission
- Merrill Lynch/Bank of America
- City of Pittsburgh Financial Empowerment
Heart of Well-Being: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Athlete Village, David Lawrence Convention Center: 7/15
Heart and Vascular Institute experts will be onsite to help you keep your heart healthy. The team at the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute will help you learn your personal health numbers (and the ideal numbers according to the AHA) which is critical in understanding your health:
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Sports Medicine and UPMC Emergency Medicine
The 2023 Games will have medical professionals and volunteers from across many disciplines – athletic trainers, physical therapists, nurses, APPs, physicians and student volunteers from the many healthcare curriculum programs in Western PA.
The medical hub for the games is located at Room 333 in the David Lawrence Convention Center (DLCC). Injury clinic times, as well as walk-in hours are provided those injured at the surrounding venues who wish to seek care after their events conclude or the next morning. Medical staff and volunteers will also be available at the venues, especially those sports with higher risks of injury.
Additional medical services for injuries, illnesses or general medical needs through UPMC Anywhere Care (telehealth access to providers 24/7 for a reasonable flat fee if you choose), and ability to have soft goods such as braces and durable medical equipment available.
Senior Athlete Fitness Exam (SAFE)
Athlete Village, David Lawrence Convention Center: 7/7/23 – 7/16/23:
Physical therapists will offer the Senior Athlete Fitness Exam (SAFE) sports performance service and research project to Senior Games athletes at no charge. Flexibility, strength, balance, general health and endurance is assessed generating a comprehensive fitness report. A therapist then gives personalized feedback to build on athlete’s strengths, then tips are given to reduce barriers to optimal performance. Thousands of athletes have received helpful fitness advice while contributing NSGA research and program since the first screening in 2011.
- Published in News and Events
Extra Frames and Extra Innings June 2023 Athlete of the Month
Bob Knight, 79
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Bob Knight has a lot of resilience and a sense of humor that will ease any situation. Ask him if he has bowled and played softball all of his life and he quickly replies, “Not yet!”
The Pittsburgh area native has needed both of those qualities to overcome the many medical procedures that keep coming his way. He starts ticking them off. “I made a list. I’ve been put under sedation 18 times,” he says matter of factly. “Let’s see – I’ve had a disc removed and replaced, a stint placed in my heart, one angioplasty, and two inversions and ablations from having AFIB, which I’ve been clear of for five years,” he says, drawing a breath. “Then I’ve had a gall bladder removed, hip replacement, a double hernia, a shoulder operation, a scoped knee and two melanoma operations – one was pretty severe. Then I’ve had a varicose vein operation and other stuff so I guess I’ve had everything.”
After a pause, Bob adds, “My wife is getting tired of driving me to the emergency room.”
As a testimony to his resilience, Bob has not missed a season of softball, which he began playing 63 years ago. When he found out he had a double hernia after bowling, he had the procedure two weeks later on a Wednesday and was bowling again the following Tuesday. “And believe it or not, I bowled a 700 series that night,” he chuckles.
Bob bowls in two leagues and is the oldest player at 79, with most others in their 50’s. “I rib ‘em pretty good when I beat ‘em,” he laughs, “And they come right back at me. They’re a bunch of good guys and I look forward to bowling with them in the winter as much as I enjoy playing softball in the summer.”
In May, Bob helped his Steel City 75+ team win a Gold Medal at the recent 2023 National Senior Games Softball Championships presented by Humana in Columbus, Ohio, and he is excited for the chance to take down his share of bowling pins in his other favorite sport when the rest of the Games get underway in Pittsburgh. While he loves the camaraderie found in Senior Games, he has his eyes on the prize.
“I’m a competitive individual and I think that’s what drives me,” he shares. “In a situation where something is critical, I want to be the one in that spot.” He’s been in a lot of tight spots in sports and with his own health history, and he attributes his continuing survival and recovery to the fact that he has remained active his entire life.
“I’ve been blessed, there’s no two ways about that. I feel like a NASCAR driver – I go bang it up and get the doctor to put me back together,” he laughs. “But my heart doctor told me it’s mostly about the patient. Some go home and sit on the couch, and some will rehab or get themselves well some way.
“I think it’s in your mind,” he concludes. “Do you want to do what you need to do or are you going to just wait and let it run its course?”
- Published in Athlete of the Month