Happy Birthday, Edna Parker!! The supercentenarian from Indiana turns 115 today! She was born in 1893. Grover Cleveland was President of the United States. Airplanes, television, mass-produced cars, penicillin, and the Empire State Building did not exist. Basically, Edna has seen a lot go down.
Edna's husband wasn't as lucky in life. Thus, Edna has been a widow since 1938, when Earl died of a heart attack. But living long does run in her family. Her sister Georgia lived to be 99, while her sister Opal was 88 when she died.
Scientists say that almost every supercentenarian has a mother, sister, or other family member who lived long. That's because old age is in the genes! Supercentenarians like Edna have genetic mutations that slow the aging process, or help them resist age-related diseases.
Scientists also point to the ability to manage stress as a reason they make it past 100. That's another reason to give yourself a break, and let go of whatever's bothering you today!
Thinking about the next generation of supercentenarians — how different do you think the world will look 115 years from now?
You're right colleenb!
Supercentenarian sounds like she has a lot of legs.
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