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Kenya is a young man of 34 years old who was severely injured, so much that he now if pretty much paralyzed from the neck down. His positive attitude is astounding. He is a lover of Hip Hop and his dream was to go to a Hip Hop concert. Enter Bessie's Hope. Bessie’s Hope discovered a band called Three the Hard Way. They are a very positive, thoughtful group of young men who are professional Hip Hop musicians. They were more than delighted to invite Kenya, his mother, and several extras to one of their performances. The evening was made complete for Kenya, with a dinner for him and his party at the Chop House. Beautiful steak. Contributed by the generosity of the Chop House. It was an evening of sheer joy, which came together thanks to Bessie's Hope and the Dreams Can Still Come True program.
Dreams Can Still Come True
So that a resident of an elder care center, could be able to enjoy outings with her "adopted" Bessie's Hope volunteer, Bessie's Hope staff went to Capabilities Store owners, who generously gave the resident a light weight, compact wheel chair. Now they are "off and rolling".
Kenya is a young man of 34 years old who was severely injured, so much that he now if pretty much paralyzed from the neck down. His positive attitude is astounding. He is a lover of Hip Hop and his dream was to go to a Hip Hop concert. Enter Bessie's Hope. Bessie’s Hope discovered a band called Three the Hard Way. They are a very positive, thoughtful group of young men who are professional Hip Hop musicians. They were more than delighted to invite Kenya, his mother, and several extras to one of their performances. The evening was made complete for Kenya, with a dinner for him and his party at the Chop House. Beautiful steak. Contributed by the generosity of the Chop House. It was an evening of sheer joy, which came together thanks to Bessie's Hope and the Dreams Can Still Come True program.
Play Ball
Two very passionate Rockies fans had a dream come true this past summer. Both residents of an elder care facility, their joint dream was to see a live game. Bessie's Hope put together an evening to remember. They enjoyed the game ala box seats and all the extras. Larry still relishes the memory, as does Frank. Larry has been a strong baseball fan all his life, but had never been to a professional game. He was thrilled. Frank was also delighted to see the Rockies play and to enjoy the energy of the game with new and old friends. Bessie's Hope's Dreams Can Still Come True program made a real difference for these two beautiful elders.
Casino Day
Casino Day - Many elders love to gamble. The thrill of the experience holds true for them now as it did in their pasts. Bingo is a hit at almost every elder care facility. And many elders also enjoy the gambling fun of poker, black jack, roulette… It is not always possible for them to get to Colorado's mini Vegas in Blackhawk or Central City. So Bessie's Hope put together our own Casino Day experience. Complete with professional dealers and the three games just mentioned, a sumptuous buffet, "money" to get started and prices to complete. The Casino Day was experienced by elders from ten elder care facilities. And enjoyed greatly by all!
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Our Programs
Former Broncos Player, Billy Thompson, Visits Clear Creek!
Volume 2, Issue 4
April 2010
If anyone knows anything about Leo Nelson, a resident of Clear Creek since 2005, they know he is a die hard Denver sports fan. He watches all the televised games, listens to all the radio broadcasts and keeps the rest of us updated during our weekly Kaffee Klatsch gatherings. Leo purchased Broncos season tickets in 1967 that are now held by his step-son, so you can imagine his surprise when former Broncos player Billy Thompson walked into the solarium on March 19th announcing, "Leo, I'm here today for you."
"It took awhile for what he said to register in my brain. I never thought anything like this would happen to me," Leo later reported. After presenting Leo with an autographed helmet, Billy addressed a group of more than 50 residents and staff at Clear Creek. He spoke of his 13 season (1967-1981) NFL career with the Denver Broncos as a defensive back. He talked about being inducted into the Ring of Fame in 1987 and about being ranked second on the Broncos all-time list for games started. After answering questions from the group, Billy was gracious enough to meet with each resident and take individual photos that he later autographed.
"I thought that everything was done and over with, but then Billy announced he was taking me and a few buddies to lunch!" Leo stated. "He was a great story teller and such a down to earth kind of guy. I always liked him as a player, now I like him as a person."
Leo would like to thank intergenerational organization Bessie's Hope staff member Kelly Raglund, for helping make this special day happen. Leo also thanks local Westminster Mexican restaurant Los Arcos for the delicious free meal. Leo has told many, "That was truly one of the best days of my life!"
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91 Year Old WWII and Vietnam Fighter Pilot Skis For the First Time!
By Jason Blevins
Denver Post
WINTER PARK — Paralyzed by strokes and living in a nursing home, Bob Hodges had a single wish.
To feel speed.
"Oh I'd like to go fast," he said, as a consortium of wish-making helpers strapped him into a sit-ski at Winter Park's famed National Sports Center for the Disabled. "I'm not afraid to try," Hodges said.
And fast he went, skiing for the first time in his 91 years. Arcing wide carves in soft snow under a cloudless sky, Hodges relished that elusive sensation of speed and flight that were once his domain.
Lt. Col. Hodges spent 30 years as an Air Force fighter pilot during both World War II and the Vietnam War. His unit was the first to fly the North Atlantic route to England. Today, he can move
only his left hand and head.
That's all he needed Sunday. Leaning his head and sliding his hand, he was able to turn the shock-absorbing seat mounted atop skis. The skis grabbed snow and he felt the pull of gravity.
"It's a lot like flying. You lean in your airplane too," he said. "But flying is smoother. Flying, you have more control."
Hodges had to cede control to veteran ski coaches Marty Wolf, Doug Monick and Tom Grover, who kept Hodges tethered, tempering his appetite for speed. Together the trio has nearly 30 years on the slopes, delivering lost thrills to countless disabled skiers. They've taught 6-year-olds, but never anyone older than 90.
Inspiration was the idea behind Bessie's Hope, a Denver group that grants wishes to isolated elders living in nursing homes. Since 1994, the group has given dreamy days to thousands in their waning years. For some, it's a simple lunch and movie, or a trip to the symphony. For others, like Hodges, it's a chance to revisit their glory days. The group's tag line: "It's never too late to dream."
Dream delivery and the National Sports Center for the Disabled — where the motto is "No mountain too high" — created a perfect day for Hodges.
Bob Hodges, 91, readies for his first day ever skiing at Winter Park on Sunday. (The Denver Post | Jason Blevins)"He's been looking forward to this for a while," said his grandson Ian Rees, who shared his grandfather's first day on skis. "I'm going to be hearing about this day for a long, long time, which is awesome."
Imagine having taught computer skills, and then living in a nursing home at age 64 and having no computer. This was an unfortunate situation for a gentleman named Floyd Patterson Thankfully, Bessie's Hope learned of his predicament and made a decision to help him out. A volunteer heard of the situation and offered to donate an extra laptop. The presentation was made in a spirit of celebration. Floyd's immediate reaction was one of great gratitude and the question "Who can I help?" He has gone on to work with others in the elder care facility. His world has expanded as has theirs!
91 Year Old WWII and Vietnam Fighter Pilot Skis For the First Time!
Sponsored by the First Bank of Longmont!!!
Denver Post
WINTER PARK — Paralyzed by strokes and living in a nursing home, Bob Hodges had a single wish.
To feel speed.
"Oh I'd like to go fast," he said, as a consortium of wish-making helpers strapped him into a sit-ski at Winter Park's famed National Sports Center for the Disabled. "I'm not afraid to try," Hodges said.
And fast he went, skiing for the first time in his 91 years. Arcing wide carves in soft snow under a cloudless sky, Hodges relished that elusive sensation of speed and flight that were once his domain.
Lt. Col. Hodges spent 30 years as an Air Force fighter pilot during both World War II and the Vietnam War. His unit was the first to fly the North Atlantic route to England. Today, he can move
only his left hand and head.
That's all he needed Sunday. Leaning his head and sliding his hand, he was able to turn the shock-absorbing seat mounted atop skis. The skis grabbed snow and he felt the pull of gravity.
"It's a lot like flying. You lean in your airplane too," he said. "But flying is smoother. Flying, you have more control."
Hodges had to cede control to veteran ski coaches Marty Wolf, Doug Monick and Tom Grover, who kept Hodges tethered, tempering his appetite for speed. Together the trio has nearly 30 years on the slopes, delivering lost thrills to countless disabled skiers. They've taught 6-year-olds, but never anyone older than 90.
Inspiration was the idea behind Bessie's Hope, a Denver group that grants wishes to isolated elders living in nursing homes. Since 1994, the group has given dreamy days to thousands in their waning years. For some, it's a simple lunch and movie, or a trip to the symphony. For others, like Hodges, it's a chance to revisit their glory days. The group's tag line: "It's never too late to dream."
Dream delivery and the National Sports Center for the Disabled — where the motto is "No mountain too high" — created a perfect day for Hodges.
Bob Hodges, 91, readies for his first day ever skiing at Winter Park on Sunday. (The Denver Post | Jason Blevins)"He's been looking forward to this for a while," said his grandson Ian Rees, who shared his grandfather's first day on skis. "I'm going to be hearing about this day for a long, long time, which is awesome."
Floyd Patterson