Celebrating Life

As an ophthalmologist for Sutter, Donna Seabrooks, M.D., treats her share of senior patients. It is safe to say she rarely comes across one quite like 86-year-old Phyllis Schmal.

Dr. Seabrooks never ceases to be amazed by Phyllis, who refuses to sit still when most folks her age have retired to the rocking chair. The Fairfield resident has nothing against chairs, rocking or otherwise. Phyllis has no problem climbing into a chair as long as it is attached to a ski lift. Despite the inherent risks of skiing at her age, she has given no thought to slaloming into the sunset in the near future.

"As long as I can walk, I can ski. I’m going to keep on skiing," Phyllis said. "It’s easy. It’s downhill all the way."

Skiing is much more than a recreational activity for Phyllis, who is quite proud of all the trophies and medals she has won over the years. An armoire in her living room is filled with all her skiing trophies.

Phyllis has a competitive fire that was ignited during her days at a Portland, Ore., high school in the 1930s. Her classmates talked her into joining them on a skiing trip to nearby Mount Hood. "Everybody in high school skied," recalled Phyllis, who was hooked despite having no idea what she was doing.

There is no stopping Phyllis now. She recently took a five-day trip to Squaw Valley, her favorite Sierra destination. Mother Nature cooperated by providing a chill for ideal skiing conditions. "There was sunshine and plenty of snow," she said. "When I packed up to leave, it was raining. I timed it perfectly."

Phyllis fell in love with Squaw Valley and then moved there after attending the 1960 Winter Olympics. "Squaw Valley and Lake Tahoe, what a beautiful combination," she says. "I had a place right on the lake."
In order to hold her own on the slopes, Phyllis stays in shape by taking her beagle Bobby for three walks a day. She takes the stairs after leaving her second-floor apartment in a retirement community. "There’s 22 steps," she said. "I always take the stairs."

The continued care she receives from Sutter allows Phyllis to lead a healthy and active lifestyle, and Dr. Seabrooks is honored to be part of her care team. "She does not let her age impact anything in her life," Dr. Seabrooks says. "It’s her attitude. It’s phenomenal. She has the greatest zest and zeal for life. She’s choosing how she’s going to age. With Phyllis, aging is a celebration."