CliffordK

I have to wonder if that is true.

IT likely does well with stability, which can be an issue for some, although I could imagine a small company hiring someone for part-time IT services if an employee could be a good fit.

There are a lot of things that the younger generation may well have significant problems with, just because so much of IT is one generation being built on the previous generation. So, knowing the old stuff isn't always lost.

Overall wisdom?

Obviously there are multiple ways to solve many problems, but for example, one of the things I was asked to do a couple of years ago that should be trivial for the 50+ yr old IT professionals, but perhaps a puzzler for the younger generation was to print out a something like a 50 page directory tree.

Of course, there is always Google, if one can figure out what to search for.

Skydive1729

The median age of an employee at Amazon, probably the top tech employer in Seattle where Rebecca lives, is 31. By contrast the median age of workers in the US workforce as a whole is 42.

This is an interesting topic and one that I could go on at great length on, but it is a bit beyond the scope of the current thread so I won't comment any further on this.

Itselleb

Gotta be time for a Go Fund Me page, if 10% of us gave 10% of what we spend on our deal, she could get some serious help.

I'm all in. Perhaps someone should find out what she needs. Regardless of supposed mental health issues, having a safe space and some things would be helpful. She sounds together and proud, IMO.

mstateglfr 

fun fact- Nelly stiffed the non-profit at risk youth cycling program I volunteer for.
tough to complain since he helped raise $ for the program, but he donated half of what he publically announced.

the jaded side of me views it as publicity disguised as philanthropy.

either way, yes he seems to be doing ok for himself.

seypat

Post of the thread!

mstateglfr 

Pfft, if either of my kids excels at cycling, ill completely support them and actively help guide their experience to ensure its both positive and safe.
safe thing ill do if they excel at basketball, soccer, volleyball, art, or horse jumping.

the world is full of examples where adults let down youth in athletics due to not having the child's best interests in mind.
it happens in football, soccer, basketball, golf, gymnastics, tennis, etc etc etc.

merziac

Agreed!

mstateglfr 

1- naming some athletes who you view as having struggled after their athletic career us done doesnt prove your position correct. I could name just as many individuals in private life that I view as having struggled. The point here is that people can struggle regardless of if they were a great athlete or not. It doesn't make sense to list some that struggled and then claim that their struggles apply to a larger group.

2- you claim a cut NFL player being a high school pe teacher is somehow 'not making it'. First off, the simple reality is that a lot of fringe professional nfl players dont last for more thsn a few years and have to find a career after football. Secondly, why is a pe teacher a career to cite as 'not making it'? Thst seems pretty wrong to me. A buddy at work was an offensive lineman on the raiders practice squad for 3 years. Constantly on the roster then cut over and again. He has a career now like the rest of us and coaches varsity basketball at a high school too. He has 'made it' just as much as me...but apparently he hasn't made it according to you.

3- using Brian Wilson, one of the most infamous examples of mental struggles as an adult to prove your point is like me using Micamhael Jordan as an example to disprove your point. Let the fringe be the fringe and let's all recognize that they are exceptions to a rule versus being the rule.

seedsbelize 

Thanks for the Guy Clark

Jeff Wills

I wish I had the answers, too. Thanks for posting.

Rebecca Twigg's story kind of reminds me of J.R. Richard: https://www.wbur.org/onlyagame/2015/...wing-heat-book

And for another perspective on mental illness, I recommend Storm Large's "Crazy Enough"- either the book or the stage show.
https://www.amazon.com/Crazy-Enough-.../dp/1439192413
https://www.pcs.org/crazy-2019

canklecat

Thanks -- I remember JR Richard from baseball, which I followed only casually, but didn't know about his stroke and subsequent struggles.

Surprised I'd never heard of Storm Large before. Sounds like my kinda thing. I wish I could see that stage show. I love live theater and need to get out to a couple of favorite local theaters more often. I put the book on my wish list.

socaltrailrider

Very sad. I do remember her from back then. So much talent.

SamSpade1941 

Your intentions and those of others are well meaning , but misguided. No amount of money will solve Rebecca's problems. When she finally decides she wants help to address her issues and is willing to put her efforts toward that end she will start moving forward . Throwing money at this problem in it's current state is an exercise in futility.

having said that , the next time I'm in Seattle . I will happily buy her a hot meal if she wants it.

merziac

The Gofundme was originally posted by me and while I agree with you big picture, it is not misguided, no magic wand, no delusions of grandeur, a long term fix may never be obtained.

Her current situation seems more urgent than that, if she had to beg relatives to let her sleep on the floor while she recovers from flu that could easily be life threatening and more permanently disabling/ debilitating then $$$ may help short term. If she becomes more physically challenged, her journey becomes far more tenuous. and less likely to ever recover from.

A few dollars right now would likely, literally buy her some time.

cqlink 

I'd like to see her get some good counselling first and then some guidance as to how she can market a skill set many of us wish we had. From what she's said in the article, she's far from finished .

merziac

Agreed, especially if she can get and stay physically healthy.

SamSpade1941 

Ditto... counseling / treatment would be most beneficial to her recovery. She actually owns a brand that still carries some name recognition with more than a few people and she could monetize fairly easily in the cycling industry after she gets back on her feet .

cqlink 

I believe a Phelps business venture helps athletes manage careers. Wouldn't it be great if she could get help and these two link up. I've chatted with him in the poker room occasionally . I think he'd bend over backwards to help a fellow Olympian .

hobbs1951

Shocked to read this guys...I saw Twigg's ride in the Barcelona Olympics...

John.

livedarklions

From the quotes in the article, I doubt she'd accept this.

merziac

Maybe so, doesn't mean we can't try.

livedarklions

Your heart's in the right place, but given what she said in the article, I'd be worried that doing so might actually upset or depress her. She's pretty clear in there about not accepting help from strangers or being treated differently from other homeless people.

merziac

Tx, agreed, all good points but,

she could do what she wants with it, pass it on to help others, it might give her the uplift she needs.

This is why I haven't moved forward, been trying to figure out how to put it out there for her to approve somehow, may reach out to the writer for ideas.

momoman

This is wishful thinking, but maybe REI in Seattle can create or fill a job using her skills and talents, but it would be difficult for any famous person to work anywhere.

Cyclist0108

I'd like to think our society could be a little more accommodating and compassionate.