National Wishes Granted in 2008
After holding a national contest to gather wishes from individuals in our centers, SunBridge and the Twilight Wish Foundation partnered in 2008 to grant the various wishes listed below.
At 76, Helen read as many as two novels a week. With a limited income, her membership to the Reader’s Digest Book Club prevented her from ordering as many books as she would have liked. She was thrilled when her wish was granted and she received an Amazon gift card. She immediately ordered her first set of books. She plans to donate the books to the SunBridge center after she has finished reading them.
Nannie turned 91 and began not attending her beloved church services and her favorite musical activities, deciding instead to remain in her bed where she was more comfortable. Staff at her SunBridge center answered her wish with a beautiful leather chair and ottoman as well as a stereo, so that she could relax and listen to her favorite gospel music in comfort.
The red Gibson guitar in the shop window caught Ray’s eye when he was 12 years old, and for 45 years, music was his way of life. Ray learned from some noted musicians, including Carlos Santana. Now 60, Ray’s dream was to have a guitar and equipment so that he could play for the residents and allow them to "feel" the music as he was taught to do throughout his musical career. His musical dream came true when he received three guitars and an amplifier.
At 81, Vernon’s wish was to spend time with his former companions, Great Danes. The double-leg amputee, who has lived at the SunBridge center for seven years and who has no immediate family, had owned Great Danes earlier in his life and asked to have this majestic, gentle breed of dogs visit him at the care center. Tails of the Village came to the center with five Great Danes who were trained as companion dogs. Vernon enjoyed every tail-wagging moment.
At 90, Dr. Johns was often heard saying, "Music is my life." A former conductor of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and the Philadelphia Orchestra, he had overseen the cultural arts department at Westchester University and was a music instructor for 35 years. His wish was to conduct a symphony orchestra once again. Unfortunately, Dr. Johns passed away just a few days before his wish was to be granted. It was altogether fitting that four string musicians from the Denver Symphony Orchestra honored him posthumously at the SunBridge center where he had resided.
Willodean, now 78, earned her GED at 56 despite physical limitations from a stroke at the age of 40. No obstacle could stop her from achieving her education – she even rode on a peanut truck in order to attend her GED classes - but she was never able to celebrate her achievement. Her wish was granted with a graduation ceremony at her SunBridge center. Wearing a cap and gown, she received her diploma and a class ring. The event had an official air to it, thanks to a performance by the local high school’s band and speeches by the high school superintendent and Willodean’s niece. Her class ring is so special to her that she hasn’t taken it off.
At 92, Margaret loves to share her talented dance moves and tales of dancing on Broadway. SunBridge center staff helped her to realize her dream of dancing on stage again through a trip to Symphony Space, a Broadway theater celebrating 30 years of entertainment. Margaret was accompanied on stage by professional dancers along with a band whose members volunteered their time.
A former certified nursing assistant and hospital volunteer, Susan had done a lot of giving in her life. At 62, it was her time to receive with SunBridge center staff helping her to realize her dream of seeing the White House. Her one-day trip to the nation’s capital was filled with a special tour that accommodated wheelchairs and even included seeing a private kitchen area that most visitors never get to see.
At 74, Paul is a sensitive and kind soul who had been a farmer for many years. Some of his favorite memories were of the time spent on a farm with his family. His wish was to be reunited with his family for a night on a farm. SunBridge center staff organized a two-day trip to a lodge for him and his family. The memorable occasion enabled the family to reminisce about the good old days in a rustic, country setting.