Welcome to UMTV’s Web Brief; I’m Reed Galin.

When we Americans debate potential problems looming in our future, Social Security often tops the list. The concern is that aging baby boomers will drain every cent. But there could be another great crisis related to the welfare of our citizens - medical treatment. It's about quality of life and longevity, about resources and who is going to pay.

88-YEAR-OLD ALOIS KRAL HAS JUST GONE THROUGH TRIPLE BYPASS SURGERY, A PROCEDURE THAT USED TO BE RESERVED ONLY FOR THOSE WITH MORE YEARS AHEAD OF THEM.

Alois Kral: "I am very happy because the people from now on, I hope, get to feel just like I do right now."

JUST 10 YEARS AGO, ALOIS WOULD HAVE BEEN DENIED SURGERY AND GIVEN SIX MONTHS TO LIVE. HIS FAMILY CAN'T IMAGINE THAT ALTERNATIVE.

Christie Kral, Alois' daughter: "I probably would have screamed, yelled, hollered, and tried to find somebody that would do it."

WE ALL WANT LOVED ONES WITH US LONGER, BUT WITH AN EVER-INCREASING NUMBER OF PATIENTS OVER 80, MEDICAL MIRACLES TAX THE SYSTEM.

Dr. Harold Koenig: “I don’t think that cost is an issue. But I think that soon it will be an issue and I think we have to confront that reality.”

DUKE UNIVERSITY’S DR. HAROLD KOENIG IS NOT ONLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE OBVIOUS STRAIN ON MEDICARE. HE ALSO WARNS THAT PEOPLE MIGHT CHOOSE LIFE-EXTENDING TREATMENTS WITHOUT WEIGHING THE TRUE RESULTS.

Dr. Harold Koenig: “When the primary focus is on the quantity of life, I think that’s when people get into trouble, because that’s when the quality of their life can become very, very poor. And they regret decisions they make.”

GERIATRIC SURGERIES ARE NOT ALWAYS LIFE-OR-DEATH CHOICES. KNEE AND HIP REPLACEMENTS WERE ONCE CUT OFF AT 65. WHO AMONG US WOULD WANT TO DENY OUR PARENTS, OR OURSELVES, A FULLER LIFE?

Alois Kral: "If it's a baby and you can help it, help it. If it's a person who can't even walk and needs a little help, help them."

As a teenager, I worked in a senior citizens’ home and observed that it’s a rare person who grows old gracefully. Catherine Salisbury is one such person. A United Methodist, she recently earned a doctorate of ministry at age 85, and is affectionately known as "Rev. Grandma.” Her thesis dealt with facing the future without fear ... and her lifestyle is proof that that’s not just theory.

Life has to have meaning, something to get up for in the morning, something to do, especially if you can find things to do for other people.

When I started in ministry, I only had five years I could serve the church before I had to retire at the age of 70. And I have served in the church 15 years since then.

There are lots of people my age that can do all these things that I do.

Jesus himself said, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” And all the promises that He made have never been taken back. We’re expected to live our life to the full, as long as we have the gift of the days of life given to us. So yes, I think it’s a moral duty for us to keep living our lives that way, even if bad things happen to us.

A cadre of senior citizens in Dallas is intent on defining their own quality of life. Meeting once a week in a United Methodist church, there’s no sitting around with this bunch. They’re into building spirits and bodies.

IF A 92-YEAR-OLD WOMAN IS INVOLVED IN SOMETHING LIKE THIS …

Susie Crumley, 92 years young: "I have better balance. Before I came here, it was hard for me to drive the car, I couldn’t see anything coming from the other way. And now, I have no problem.”

IT’S NOT JUST A COMMITMENT TO EXERCISE; IT’S SUSIE CRUMLEY’S COMMITMENT TO “LIVING” LIFE ON HER OWN TERMS, A FEELING HER COHORTS SHARE.

“We’re going to begin with our head and neck exercises. To the right, two, three…”

Georgia Davis, 89 years young: “I really like the exercise, but I like to be with the people. It’s great. I have learned that you can keep yourself going by taking these things. “

WHEN THE REV. JOYCE CRAVENS JOINED THEM A YEAR AGO, SHE THOUGHT THE CLASS WOULD BE A CAKEWALK - BEING ONLY 50-SOMETHING HERSELF.

The Rev. Joyce Cravens: “I got in there, and it’s a killer class. We use weights on the ankles and on the hands and the exercises that they do are really beneficial, and they don’t let up.”

FEEL THE BURN. SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING YOU’D HEAR IN AN EXERCISE VIDEO. AND, SURE ENOUGH … THEY’RE MAKING ONE - FOR CHURCHWIDE DISTRIBUTION, AND BEYOND, PERHAPS.

The Rev. Joyce Cravens: “They can do the exercise there at home, they can see their friends and hear the laughter and feel a part of what’s going on.”

Sammie Perry: “The reason we do this exercise is so that when we get older, we’ll be able to get up out of our chairs easily. “

VIDEOS DIDN’T EVEN EXIST WHEN SUSIE CRUMLEY STARTED COLLECTING SOCIAL SECURITY. IN FACT, THE OVERALL CONGREGATION AT WEBB CHAPEL ISN’T GETTING ANY YOUNGER. BUT MORE OF THEM MAY BE FEELING THAT WAY, NOW.

The exercise video is now finished and being distributed to shut-ins. They produced a few extra copies so the regulars can work out at home between their weekly sessions.

On the next UMTV Web Brief …

Born in the USA…on 9/11 - bringing new hope.