A Life story of Determination and Inspiration to keep on going

Life can be challenging, but Rosalie is prepared! Rosalie embodies the quality of resilience. She combines sheer determination and kindness, piecing together a quilt that inspires us all. In celebrating Rosalie’s 10-year anniversary of becoming REACTIVATED, we sat down to acknowledge this exhilarating journey. The challenges, the comebacks, and the physical and mental strength that threads her journey to Africa together.

With a rich sports background and military service, Rosalie embraces challenges with unwavering discipline, achieving physical and mental feats. When she suffered a stroke at just 31 years old, she harnessed that same discipline to fuel her remarkable comeback.

“Keep active, don’t give up and if you do, get over it and keep the ball of life bouncing in your corner. “

Rosalie

Juggling family, a demanding career and six years of caregiving alongside personal losses tested her. To manage the challenges, Rosalie leaned on fitness training to navigate life’s ups and downs.

Fast forward to age 75, and Rosalie reaches out to become REACTIVATED! After only a few weeks, her spirit and confidence soar to reach new heights and inspire everyone around her. In her first year, she achieved improved strength, posture, and gait. Her family doctor was impressed and thrilled to reduce her blood pressure medication.

Rosalie’s journey transcends age. Witnessing her shine is an absolute joy. Her enthusiasm is contagious, and she encourages others while she is doing it! Seeking adventure, Rosalie celebrated her 80th birthday with an African Safari. Alongside her children, she reached yet another personal goal of keeping up with 60-year-olds and hoisting herself up on a Range Rover! Her strength and kindness resonated with an African family, leading to the honour of having their unborn child named after her – a promise to return and meet baby Tanscy.

The pandemic halted her dreams and travel plans. Not giving up, Rosalie kept her hopes alive for 3.5 years, then courageously charted her return to Africa to celebrate her 85th birthday with her family. Unbelievable, isn’t it?

Just six months before the planned journey, a devastating stroke threatened everything. How overwhelming…….yet, Rosalie’s unwavering faith fueled her determination to recover and reclaim her dreams.

With only three weeks to go and feeling overwhelmed, she listened to her body. Rosalie consulted her family doctor and made significant health adjustments to regain her pre-stroke vigour.

We are proud of Rosalie’s perseverance to fulfill her dream of visiting Africa to meet Tanscy. The reunion between her family and the African family was seamless – a dream realized.

  • Little Tanscy
  • Rosalie in Africa with Nordic Poles

Like a trailblazer, Rosalie dances to the beat of her drum. Rosalie accomplished her trip with self-reliance and Nordic poles. We are truly inspired by you, Rosalie! Your resilience and continual growth to add to your life quilt. Bravo, Rosalie, on your comebacks and for the inspiration you share with so many!

“It’s not about the setback, it’s all about the comeback.”

Jenny Brown

*Note: The author of this article is a young lady who herself has suffered physical hardships but who has defied the odds and become an accomplished bike racer and coach who has encouraged hundreds of young and old to go beyond and above those who say you shouldn’t, you can’t, don’t. These words are not part of her dictionary of life. She has imparted this type of energy to hundreds of us who were struggling to overcome the “can’t, shouldn’t and don’t.” At 85 today and having just read Jenny’s thoughts on my life, I have to tell her that having her positivity in my life has helped me to overcome many adversities. I have learned from her that there is more than one way to do something and that although it’s not what you used to do or what those around you are doing, you are striving to do the best you can, and that is what REACTIVATED is all about. She does not enable bad habits but encourages good ones. Keep active, don’t give up and if you do, get over it and keep the ball of life bouncing in your corner. Caring and sharing goes both ways. Thanks Jenny! Rosalie.