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The Inspiring Story of an Elderly Man from the Northeast Who, After Facing Depression in Retirement, Returned to the Classroom and Graduated from College in Psychology at Over 90, Showing That It Is Never Too Late to Start Over.
It Is Never Too Late to Start Over, Even After 90, When Many People Believe That the Time to Learn Has Passed, an Elderly Man from the Northeast Decided to Prove Exactly the Opposite. A Resident of Fortaleza, Ceará, Aélio Monteiro Transformed a Difficult Period of Life into a Surprising Restart.
After Retiring and Facing Depression, He Returned to University and Earned a New Diploma, This Time in Psychology, Touching Family, Friends, and Thousands of People Who Learned His Story.
A Lifetime Dedicated to Teaching
Born in Ceará, Aélio Monteiro Always Had a Deep Relationship with Education. His First Degree Was in Geography, Completed in 1964. Even Before Receiving His Diploma in 1961, He Was Already Working as a Teacher, Starting a Long Journey in Teaching.
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Heading to Brazil in a Bonanza F33 single-engine aircraft: a couple departs from Florida on a visual flight, makes technical stops in the Caribbean to refuel and organize paperwork, and begins the staged crossing until they reach the country.
Throughout the Decades, He Taught in Various Traditional Schools in the State, Such as Carolino Sucupira, Paulo VI, Instituto de Educação, Santa Cecília, Santa Inácio, Santa Isabel, Juvenal de Colégio, and Colégio Cearense. The Classroom Was His Home for Over 60 Years, Until He Retired at 84.
Depression in Retirement: The Emotional Impact
Leaving the Work Routine Brought an Unexpected Effect. As Happens with Many Retirees, Aélio Began to Feel Lost, Discouraged, and Emotionally Shaken.
Depression in the Elderly Is a Serious and Growing Problem, Recognized by Institutions Such as the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization, Which Warn About the Impact of Social Isolation and the Loss of Purpose During This Phase of Life. It Was Within His Home That the Turning Point Emerged.
The Advice That Changed Everything
Carmen Monteira, Aélio’s Wife and a Psychologist, Realized That Her Husband Needed More Than Just Rest. Instead of Simply Recommending Treatment, She Made a Direct and Transformative Suggestion: Go Back to Studying.
“My Wife, Who Is a Psychologist, Said That the Medicine for You Is to Study Psychology,” Aélio Recounted.
With Little Time to Hesitate, Carmen Enrolled Him in a Private Psychology College in Ceará. The Decision Marked the Start of a New Phase.
The Elderly Man Who Became an Inspiration at College
The Presence of a Student Over 90 Years Old Caught Everyone’s Attention Right from the First Days of Class. Even Acknowledging That the Academic Routine Was Not Easy for His Age, Aélio Found Support Everywhere.
“The Class Welcomed Me Very Well. It Wasn’t Easy, Because It’s Not Easy for My Age, But I Had So Many Hands to Hold,” He Recalled. Colleagues, Teachers, and Family Were by His Side Throughout the Course.
According to the Federal Council of Psychology, the Diversity of Life Experiences Enriches Academic and Professional Training, Something Aélio Naturally Brought to the Classroom.
Elderly and His New Profession at Over 90!
After Overcoming Physical, Emotional, and Academic Challenges, Aélio Arrived at the Big Day. The Graduation Had Everything Any Student Dreams Of: Gown, Photos with the Class, and Lots of Emotion. Exactly 63 Years After His First Degree, He Relived the Moment with Renewed Intensity.
More Than a Diploma, the Achievement Represented the Overcoming of Depression and the Opening of a New Professional Path.
Pride at Home and New Plans
For Carmen, Her Husband’s Achievement Had a Special Meaning.
“I Was Happier for Him Than I Was for My Own Graduation,” She Said, Emotionally.
And the Plans Don’t Stop There. The Psychologist Already Dreams of a New Challenge for Her Husband: a Master’s Degree. Aélio, for His Part, Does Not Dismiss the Idea.
During the Course, He Particularly Identified with the Thinking of Carl R. Rogers, One of the Leading Names in Humanistic Psychology, Which Values Individual Experience and Empathic Listening.
“The Psychologist Does Not Attend to the Sick or Crazy. Anyone Who Has a Psychological Pain, No Matter How Small, Needs to Seek a Psychologist,” Aélio Highlighted.
An Example That Goes Beyond Age
Aélio Monteiro’s Story Reinforces What Recent Studies from the National Institute on Aging Indicate: Staying Intellectually and Socially Active Is an Important Factor for Mental Health in Old Age. His Case Shows That Learning, Dreaming, and Starting Over Have No Expiration Date.
What Do You Think of This Inspiring Story? Leave Your Comment Below and Share This Article with Someone Who Needs to Believe That It Is Never Too Late to Start Over.
Estou pensando seriamente em voltar a estudar. Estou ficando parada. Vou tentar. Já possuo uma. Será a segunda.
Já sou aposentado e achei linda a inspiração do Aelio Monteiro. Na juventude estudamos para obter melhores empregos, não é o caso de nós os idosos, ele o Aelio Monteiro foi pra academia por vocação, ficou a pensar o que é oferecido pelo governo e a iniciativa privada para nós os idosos desse pais ?
Tenho a satisfação de acompanhar
a caminhada do senhor Aélio, eu com 63 anos estou cursando o ensino médio e pretendo fazer uma faculdade em nome do Senhor Jesus Cristo