Dr. Howard Leslie has just become a Certified Laughter Yoga Leader. What makes him unique is that at almost 93, he’s the oldest graduate of the Iowa School of Laughter Yoga and Dr. Kataria has just verified that he's also the oldest laughter yoga leader in the USA. Howard is such an inpiration that I’d like to share his story with you.
A retired podiatrist, Howard lives in Ft. Meyers, Florida. He describes himself as an optimistic, upbeat person. He’s in great health and plays tennis four mornings a week. For the past ten years, he’s been the sole caretaker for his wife, Gladys. She has Alzheimer’s disease and is now living in a nursing care faclity. Because of Gladys’ diagnosis, Howard studied up and found that the three things Alzheimer’s patients respond best to are affection, touch and approval. As a result, Howard has spent the last decade showering Gladys with these things and they’ve helped her immensely. Howard reports that she is in much better condition than many other residents who have had Alzheimer’s for a much shorter time.
The two of them, pictured here, have been married 69 years now and their love is just as strong as ever. Each day Howard and Gladys toast to their marriage and sing “You Belong to My Heart” to one another. Though she can only speak a few words, Gladys can sing this song joyfully with her loving husband.
Howard decided to learn laughter yoga so he could share it with Gladys and the other residents at her facility. He began leading these sessions even before he enrolled in my e-course. Now that he’s learned more about laughter yoga, he’s decided to start a laughter club at his condo as well.
He explains: “My reason for being enthused with being a laughter yoga leader is that I get what I give. The joy I send out will come back to me like an echo. Hopefully it will give me a longer,healthier, happier life. It's exciting to be the oldest laughter yoga leader in the country. "
Ha Ha Ha Howard, as he now refers to himself, can be reached at howard100@webtv.net. Feel free to send him a word of congratulations.
He's also been featured at the international laughter yoga website. Click here to read his article.
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