Babies are born wired to learn, though I’m convinced we’re never too old to learn.

In fact, at the age of 70, I’ve come to understand that nearly everything in life — at any age — can be an education, as well as an adventure … or both.

Not all experiences are enjoyable. However, sometimes unpleasant learning “opportunities” can actually enhance learning important “lessons.”

Here’s one I hope might spur some other seniors to consider taking an action that could prevent a painful lesson for them.

One recent morning, my toaster started smoking. But as I hurried toward it, my right shoe scuffed on the kitchen floor, which I’d mopped a day or two before. And when the shoe abruptly stopped, the rest of me kept going, shockingly depositing me face down on that clean floor.

(As awful as that jolting fall was, though, I’m pleased to report that as I perused the scenery from that position, I saw I’d done a great job of mopping as far as possible under the refrigerator.)

Seeking my own way

My delight about my clean floor was short-lived, though, when I realized I needed to get up off of it. Though rampant degenerative joint disease from my neck, literally to the bottoms of my feet, is a constant companion these days, I was able to maneuver into a sitting position.

But a chair I’d boosted myself up with from a similar position after a previous fall several years ago was out of reach on the far side of my carpeted living room, as was my cell phone. I thought I might be able to reach the kitchen door, however, open it and use both handles to get to my feet.

I successfully scooted on my backside to the door and opened it. However, the handles were too high to help me accomplish my plan. So I left the door open, in case I couldn’t get upright under my own steam.

I scooted some more, reaching the living room — and its carpet. Anyone who’s never had to scoot on his or her backside across a carpeted floor can little appreciate how grueling that can be. Using my hands (one of which badly needs joint replacement surgery), I inched along backwards, simultaneously pushing with my feet.

That was difficult enough before my left foot slipped out of its shoe. But thankfully, I got it back on and continued my journey.

Realizing it was impossible to travel to the one chair I was sure I could use to right myself, I headed instead to a nearer rocking chair with arms, turning to crawl the last inches. (Note: Anyone who thinks it’s a walk in the park crawling on already painful hands and knees to reach a badly needed rocker to get vertical again is likely off theirs. No offense intended.)

Summoning help

Though I was nearly successful several times using that chair’s arms to rise, I finally realized my strength was nearly depleted. Returning to a sitting position, I — very reluctantly — yelled, “help.” Thankfully, I only had to do that twice before a friendly neighbor appeared at the open kitchen door. (Thanks, Rose!)

She brought me my phone, and I dialed 911. When the dispatcher asked about my emergency, I was chagrined to admit, “I’m like that woman on TV who says, ‘I’ve fallen, and I can’t get up.’”

In short order, Capt. Dwight Mayberry, a firefighter/paramedic, and Jake Prater, a firefighter/EMT, both expert, gentlemanly and kind members of Grays Harbor Fire District 5, were at my kitchen door.

I was off the floor in no time. And they left only after taking my blood pressure and determining I was OK and had everything I needed, including a large glass of water.

After my “adventure” on the floor, some folks suggested I consider getting an emergency alert button that can be worn like a pendant necklace or a bracelet 24/7 to summon help should something untoward happen again when I was alone.

Resistant at first, I soon realized that if I wanted to continue living alone safely, I needed to avoid the foolish risk of repeating that experience — or worse.

I’d seen an ad for one brand in a newspaper insert and was able to find it and get an information phone number. Long-story-short, I ordered the alert button, which arrived in my mailbox a few days later.

I’m thankful to have it, and family members and friends also have expressed how happy they are that I do.

I hesitate to promote a specific company’s product in my column. But readers who have trouble getting information to investigate getting one are welcome to email me through Vidette editor, Corey Morris at editor@thevidette.com.

American humorist Will Rogers once said, “Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.”

The good news is that none of us is too old to live and learn.