Bishop Wicke Resident to have Dream Come True at Age 106!

Shelton, CT (Tuesday, May 17, 2016) - Bishop Wicke Health and Rehabilitation Center at Wesley Village recently hosted a week-long celebration during National Nursing Home Week, May 8th -14th, which culminated with a special “spirit renewal” event on Friday, May 13th.

The event, entitled, “Welcome the Dream Weavers” included a gathering of residents, staff, family members, and guests and featured storytelling, discussion, refreshments, and entertainment, as well as a special surprise. Everyone who participated in the event was invited to share any memories about dreams, both those that have come true and those that have yet to be fulfilled. A vase of ribbon wands was the focal point of the event, with each ribbon representing a resident’s dream. The highlight of the event was a special surprise, which recognized the dream of Bishop Wicke resident, Minnie Sutton, who will be turning 106 years old this month on May 27th. Staff surprised Minnie with her dream come true, the chance to return to her childhood home in New York City one more time. Before the end of the month, Minnie will be chauffeured to her New York City neighborhood in the Bronx to see her old home and to stop at a New York City bakery, because, as she shares, “There is nothing like the cookies and pastries in New York.”

Minnie’s dream is just one of many that have been fulfilled for residents at Wesley Village, the campus of senior living and care communities on which Bishop Wicke Health and Rehabilitation Center is located. The award-winning “Journey of Dreams” program was created on the campus to offer opportunities for personal growth and fulfillment of individual dreams. The program has enabled Wesley Village residents to fulfill some of their lifelong wishes by doing things like broadcasting the weather on Channel 8 news, baking apple pies at a local bakery, riding in a hot air balloon, and providing horse-drawn carriage rides to residents.

“Our mission and values and our focus on relationship-centered care play a huge role in everything we do,” said Debra Samorajczyk, Administrator at Bishop Wicke Health and Rehabilitation Center. “Being able to fulfill the dreams of our residents is not only an expression of those values but an opportunity to enrich the lives of our residents in a life-changing and unforgettable way. We are honored to be part of our residents’ stories.” Preparations are being made this week to organize transportation and staff to escort Minnie on her trip to New York. “I never could have imagined them doing anything more for me in my wildest dreams,” said Sutton.

Wesley Village is a campus of senior living and care communities including Crosby Commons Independent/Assisted Living Community, Wesley Heights Independent/Assisted Living Apartments and Cottages, Lifestyle Transitions Memory Care, and Bishop Wicke Health and Rehabilitation Center. The campus, located at 580 Long Hill Avenue in Shelton, is owned and operated by United Methodist Homes (UMH), a local, mission-based, not-for-profit organization serving all members of the community. To learn more about the continuum of care offered at Wesley Village or the mission of UMH, please visit www.wesleyvillage-ct.org.