A Second Wind for Seniors
Millions of seniors confined to nursing homes struggle to keep depression at bay. 80% have no visitors. Imagine a program that asked residents, “What would make you happy?�?and then granted those wishes.
That is the mission of Second Wind Dreams --to inspire nursing homes across the world to create Dream Weavers out of staff members.
Many times a new dress, a radio, a trip to a fishing hole or the ball park is all that is needed to create a connection to their past that gives a feeling of security, peace and happiness. Some dreams cost less than $25.00 but generate truly life-altering experiences. Mae Bailey, 61, is blind and disabled by the ravages of diabetes. Her wish? To relive the excitement she experienced as a youngster riding the seven cyclones at Six Flags Amusement Park. When her Dream Weaver took her to the park, she rode, not one, not two - but all seven of the park's cyclones!
P.K. Beville, PhD, founded the program in 1997 and fulfills her overall intention every day -- “to improve the perception of aging.�?When dreams are fulfilled in any of the 400 participating facilities in 38 states, India and Canada, Beville reports there are profound changes of attitudes in both residents and staff.
In one example many of the women wanted to cook again and, cook FOR someone. So, a long table was set up in December for making holiday cookies for the staff. Magic ensued. The ladies went to work each to their own task. Suddenly, there were no wheelchairs, crippled hands, dementia or tremors. There were women making goodies in kitchens' past with sisters and mothers. And then, from one end of the table a lone voice began to sing, “Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat, please to put a penny in the old man's hat.�?As the song was picked up all around the table, the joy of a caroling session arose. We weren't in a nursing home at all. The power of the dream had transcended reality.
An even more profound wish was that of a 92-year-old woman who had lived her entire life with crossed eyes. Her family, never sympathetic to the disability, even ridiculed her desire to change that upsetting aspect of her appearance. At last, SWD found one eye surgeon who willingly performed the simple surgical procedure and undid what had been the source of a lifetime of despair!
Call 678-624-0500 for info on how to become a Dream Weaver in your town. www.secondwind.org 
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