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Beating The Odds

os by Krista Husa

Resilient people can bounce back from adversity
because they network with others.

a

NORINE ZIMMER

Special to The Jewish News

T

he world breaks everyone,"
wrote Ernest Hemingway
32 years before he killed
himself. 'And afterward
some are strong in the broken places."
Certain people have qualities that
make them able to beat the odds or
shake off adversity, while others,
equally stressed, lose their grip on
their lives. This ability to survive, even
thrive, challenges our culture's conven-

Norine Zimmer is a gerontologist in

Huntington Woods:

tional wisdom that adversity damages
rather than challenges, that early trau-
mas can't be undone.
Research suggests resilient people
have a sense of coherence, self-confi-
dence, a faith that things can be over-
come and that they are in control of
their fate. They don't beat the odds.
They face them and change the odds.
Barbara Begun of Birmingham has
dealt with so many adversities,
"including my chronic illness, the sui-
cide of my son and a former husband,
the loss of three close friends, and my
surviving son's illness."
In order to get through, "tempera-
ment certainly plays a part," she says,

compartmentalizing. She writes her
"but so does personal will and hope. I
problems on paper and places them
consciously set my own standards for
in cubby holes in her roll-top desk.
what I consider quality living. I try to
When she needs to deal with the
take control over issues where I'm out
problem, she pulls out her notes,
of control, like my illness.
deals with the issue and then
"Knowing I can take any.
Barbara Begun
refiles the notes for future
direction I choose carries me
has overcome
reference.
through. I trust my ability to
Another technique is stay-
make decisions, to create order several tragedies.
'
ing
in
touch with nature.
in my life, to reach out and
Begun keeps a blanket and pillow in
link with others."
the trunk of her car and often goes to
Begun credits her late father as "a
the park near her home to feed the
great source of strength who believed I
ducks.
could do anything. His appreciation
"My Jewish faith and involvement
and love reinforced my sense of early
with Temple Israel helps me," Begun
childhood competence."
says, "and living with chronic illness
One coping strategy Begun uses is

12/12
1997

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