Colorado PACE Participant Spotlight: Robert Jackson
When you ask Robert Jackson what he’s most proud of in his life, he doesn’t hesitate.
First, there was his 35-year career behind the wheel of an 18-wheeler. In all those years on the road, Robert never had an accident.
Then there was the trust his employers placed in him as a driver. Because of his skill and experience, Robert was asked to train other truck drivers, passing along the knowledge he had gained over decades on the road. His most important piece of advice was simple: “Don’t go on the other side of the road.”
And then there’s Helen, the love of his life. Robert and Helen have been married for 53 years and counting. For part of his career, she even joined him on the road as his co-driver.
“I loved driving,” Robert says.
So when an injury meant he could no longer drive, it was about much more than giving up a job. Driving had been such an important part of Robert’s life and identity. He had spent decades mastering his craft, training others and building a legacy on the road. Suddenly, he had to figure out what came next.
Colorado PACE has helped him find that next chapter.
Robert brings plenty of energy and personality to the PACE community, where he has found people to talk with, laugh with and share stories with. “I feel at home being here,” he says.
And Robert hasn’t just become part of the Colorado PACE community. He has become an ambassador for it. He proudly shares Colorado PACE brochures with family members, wanting others to know about the services and support available to them.
Of course, Robert hasn’t given up on driving again. That dream is still very much alive.
In the meantime, Colorado PACE is helping Robert stay active, connected and healthy while giving him space to discover what his next chapter can look like.
And perhaps most importantly, Robert is beginning to see just how far his legacy reaches.
Because those drivers he trained years ago are still out there on the road, carrying forward the lessons he taught them. When Robert checks in on his former students, he has something very special to report.
“All of them have been accident free, too,” he says, a slight tear in his eye.
After 35 years on the road, Robert may not be behind the wheel right now, but his impact is still moving forward.
Thank you, Robert, for sharing your story with us, for helping keep our roads safe and for being such a wonderful part of the Colorado PACE community.
Go Back First, there was his 35-year career behind the wheel of an 18-wheeler. In all those years on the road, Robert never had an accident.
Then there was the trust his employers placed in him as a driver. Because of his skill and experience, Robert was asked to train other truck drivers, passing along the knowledge he had gained over decades on the road. His most important piece of advice was simple: “Don’t go on the other side of the road.”
And then there’s Helen, the love of his life. Robert and Helen have been married for 53 years and counting. For part of his career, she even joined him on the road as his co-driver.
“I loved driving,” Robert says.
So when an injury meant he could no longer drive, it was about much more than giving up a job. Driving had been such an important part of Robert’s life and identity. He had spent decades mastering his craft, training others and building a legacy on the road. Suddenly, he had to figure out what came next.
Colorado PACE has helped him find that next chapter.
Robert brings plenty of energy and personality to the PACE community, where he has found people to talk with, laugh with and share stories with. “I feel at home being here,” he says.
And Robert hasn’t just become part of the Colorado PACE community. He has become an ambassador for it. He proudly shares Colorado PACE brochures with family members, wanting others to know about the services and support available to them.
Of course, Robert hasn’t given up on driving again. That dream is still very much alive.
In the meantime, Colorado PACE is helping Robert stay active, connected and healthy while giving him space to discover what his next chapter can look like.
And perhaps most importantly, Robert is beginning to see just how far his legacy reaches.
Because those drivers he trained years ago are still out there on the road, carrying forward the lessons he taught them. When Robert checks in on his former students, he has something very special to report.
“All of them have been accident free, too,” he says, a slight tear in his eye.
After 35 years on the road, Robert may not be behind the wheel right now, but his impact is still moving forward.
Thank you, Robert, for sharing your story with us, for helping keep our roads safe and for being such a wonderful part of the Colorado PACE community.