Scooter to the Rescue
Monday, December 14, 2009
Jim Landeman wished for a new mobility scooter so he could keep feeding his cat Sweetie. Now that wish has come true.
The 74-year-old has been a resident at Jervois Residential Care in Herne Bay for the past three years. He adopted his beloved cat Sweetie from the SPCA 15 years ago, but didn’t bring her when he moved into the home because he didn’t think she would adjust to the change.
So Jim has made the trip to Ponsonby on his mobility scooter every day to visit and feed Sweetie, who has been living with his brother Ken. But recently those trips have become less frequent. Jim says his mobility scooter became “old and battered” and so he could only make the trip once a week.
He needed a new one, but couldn’t afford it.
Michelle Feehan, Manager of Jervois Residential Care, asked Jim if he had a wish for the rest home’s wishing tree almost two months ago. “I wish for a new scooter,” was his reply.
It was presented to him at a surprise afternoon tea last week complete with personalised number plates. “I was very pleased,” says Jim. With his new set of wheels, Jim can now keep feeding Sweetie every day. “I’ll see her more often now I’ve got a new scooter.”
In the years since the TerraNova Wishing Tree initiative began, wishes have been granted all over New Zealand. There have been 91-year-olds skydiving, helicopter rides and trips to the South Island.
Often the wishes are sponsored by companies. Invacare, a medical equipment company, donated the mobility scooter to Jim. Sharelle Lincoln organised the scooter donation and was part of another resident’s wish to go on a helicopter ride. “If we could be involved in every single one we would.” Michelle says granting the residents’ wishes is one of the best parts of her job.
“It’s such a buzz. To be able to make a wish come true is such an incredible thing.”
