Janet is perhaps Talbot County’s most popular exercise instructor of a certain age. With a long-standing following at the Saint Michaels Family Y, Londonderry, and the Oxford Community Center for her classes, she has seen inspiring examples of transformation with her friends and students as they move from a rewarding professional career to a physically fit and purposeful retirement life.
We are happy to report that Janet accepted a Spy proposal to seek out some of these fit and purposeful retirees to share their unique stories over the next year.
Janet continues this series with her friend, Dr. John “Jack” Harrald. Jack, a graduate of the United States Coast Guard Academy, may have set a record in the number of times he has “retired.” After his career with the Coast Guard, he then had another career as a full professor at George Washington University, serving as the director of their Institute for Crisis, Disaster, and Risk Management. Leaving GW after thirty-three years, he then started a third career as a research professor of Virginia Tech, finally retiring from that position in 2014.
After Jack and his wife, Judy, started to live in Claiborne full-time, he entered yet another phase with his work the Talbot Interfaith Shelter as the president of the president board of directors.
But as Jack tells Janet during their recent chat at the Bullitt House last week, Jack’s vision of his final retirement changed dramatically when he was diagnosed of having Parkinson’s Disease.
This video is approximately seven minutes in length
S. Swan says
What a wonderful conversation; intelligent, open-hearted, and generous in the sharing!
Kathy Bosin says
A powerful message indeed. Jack, I hope you keep talking about your experience living with Parkinson’s. No matter how many times you retired, you’re still a teacher. Thank you.
Carolyn Jaffe says
Thanks to Janet and Jack for a truly inspiring personal interview. Lots of meaty thought to ponder to understand healthy moves to counter so much more than just aging! cj