By snoadmin
Kirk Douglas spoke to more than 100 Cal State Long Beach students yesterday at the Daniel Recital Hall about his stroke, recovery and life. A thunderous applause came when the 93-year-old actor stepped out from the grey velvet curtains and took the stage. He stood proudly, welcoming the cheers from the audience.
Throughout the on-stage interview with Betty McMicken, a CSULB communicative disorders professor, Douglas emphasized to the audience that the most important thing to do is to help the less fortunate.
“Help people,” Douglas said looking out into the audience, “it is the greatest satisfaction.”
He said that since his stroke he has found a new appreciation for life and in this way has tried to give back to the community.
After having a stroke in 1996, Douglas said he changed profoundly and is grateful for those who have helped him through the process of coping and treatment. He said that as he has gotten older, he has reflected about his life and never forgot his humble beginnings as the son of immigrant parents in a large family.
“You’re lucky when you have a partner that understands you,” he said about his wife. “She really helps, she knows when to be tough with me and when to be gentle.”
Douglas recalled the day he had the stroke and partially lost his ability to speak. He said that upon his wife’s insistence to “beautify” his hands, he was getting a manicure at the time, and opened his mouth and suddenly he could not speak. His wife was called and she rushed him to the hospital.
“I think God is pissed at me,” he laughed when mocking his age.
The audience laughed at every joke and tease, or when he giggled and bulged his eyes mocking himself.
“I’m the guy who wouldn’t shut up,” said Douglas jokingly. Much like his one-man show, the spotlight focused on him as he pointed out to the audience “You take speech for granted.”
The audience gave Douglas a standing ovation as he did a slight dancing shuffle off the stage. Most of the audience was made up of the students in McMicken’s communicative disorders courses, some of which had volunteered at the Anne Douglas mission.
Douglas and his wife, Anne, began the Anne Douglas foundation in Los Angeles as a part of the Los Angeles Mission to specifically help homeless women and build new playgrounds around the city.
Though he spoke with difficulty, he made a connection to the audience and was well understood.
“It was exciting for me to actually see him, and how much he appreciates his life. Because we watched video clips of him in class, and it’s motivating for him to share how much he appreciates his life,” said Priscilla Avina, a junior and communicative disorders major.
“I really enjoyed it, said Zack Rios, a junior film and theater major. “It was inspiring to see how highly active he was. I didn’t know what to expect.”
Disclaimer: The Daily 49er is not responsible for comments made on www.daily49er.wpengine.com. Persons commenting are solely responsible for comments made on this Web site. The Daily 49er strongly advises individuals to not abuse their First Amendment rights, and to avoid language suggestive of hate speech.
