WISH STORIES
Granting Wishes Is So Much More Than The Wish Itself
Many seniors face loneliness and isolation every day. Through granting wishes, WAY’s broader narrative is to highlight each wish story we grant publicly so that we can begin to shift how seniors are viewed and valued. We encourage you to utilize your network to spread the word, and/or consider sharing one of our inspiring wish stories within your community today.
Andrew (Andy) Sarka, 74
Andy has been a Toronto Maple Leafs fan his entire life. He would watch every game on television, dreaming of how incredible it would be to sit in the stands of the Scotiabank Arena cheering on his favorite team. He thought about how incredible it would be to witness the Leafs fan culture and atmosphere come to life with each goal or breakaway, never believing he would get the opportunity to see them play at this stage of his life.
Elise Richard, 79
Elise is a strong, spiritual woman with a big heart. Her wish was to meet Sammy, a well-known horse in Nova Scotia! She recently experienced tragic hardships, and expressed that meeting Sammy is just what she needs now in this moment in time to help her heal and move on. And that it did! Now Elise has a new four legged friend, and an open invitation to come back and visit Sammy!
Francis Warner, 83
Francis Warner has always dreamed of driving in a King transport truck; a wish she always wanted but never thought would be possible, until now, thanks to King Freight Lines. "I hope my mom was watching from above", Francis said, coining this as "the best experience of her life!"
Barbara Weatherbie, 93
Barbara Weatherbie, 93, has always been a lover of nature and has always enjoyed and cared for the beauty of the world around her. Barbara's wish for many years has been to admire the Marshy Hope area and all of its beauty from the sky. Viewing the beautiful, lush colours of the fall leaves was something she had only ever dreamed of, until now, thanks to Vision Air Services Inc.
Jacob Bondt, 72
It meant the world to Jacob to have his lifelong dream of flying in a helicopter come true. Quoted from Jacob "...this experience gives seniors more energy and a willingness to live and not feel that they are forgotten."
Brenda Reid, 72
Both of Brenda's sisters have lived far enough away from her that time spent together over the years has been few and far between. With all sisters spread throughout the province of Nova Scotia, and never being able to experience a trip together, Brenda's wish has always been to have the three of them reconnect for a weekend away together.
Betty Cochrane, 92
With her family watching from the ground below, Betty jumped 10,000 feet out of a plane and crossed off the last thing on her bucket list.
Mary MacNeil, 90
Mary is full of wonder and is a firm believer in learning as much as possible about the world around you so, when Mary found out she would have the opportunity to fulfill a wish to get up in a helicopter and take in the beautiful scenery of the Cape Breton Highlands, she was thrilled!
Lorriane Allen, 79
After many years of dreaming that maybe someday she might get the opportunity to see the Gaither’s play, Lorraine’s dream finally came true when she had the great opportunity to attend the Gaither Homecoming Alaska Cruise where she was able to experience a lot of “firsts”.
Joan Sandever, 82
Joan has always dreamed of flying in a helicopter over the Liscomb area of Nova Scotia, and is something she spoke of quite often to her family, never believing she would ever have the opportunity to ride in one. Click above for full story!
Paul Dent
At the young age of 5 years old, Paul watched the planes take off and land at the airport knowing full well that one day he would become a pilot. Not only did Paul get up close to a helicopter one more time, he was given the gift of flight again!
Rodney Stark, 75
70 years ago Rodney saw a helicopter for the first time. He looked at it with so much wonder in his eyes; "a big dragonfly" that he could only dream of seeing up close one day. Not only did Rodney finally see a helicopter for the first time up close, he got to fly in one!
