Mike Barrett photo
Valentine’s Day arrives Saturday for Unionville’s John Wallace, 85. That’s when he’s reunited with his partner of 32 years, Ruth Rose. Finances and medical needs put them in separate seniors facilities. They haven’t seen each other since November.
Markham
February 13, 2008 07:58 PM
Separated lovers brought together
By: Chris Traber
True love endures, transcends time and, in the case of John Wallace and Ruth Rose, survives distance.
Together for 32 years, the couple now lives is separate long-term nursing homes. Mr. Wallace, 85, is at Unionvilla. Ms Rose, 82, is in a home in St. Catharines.
Though apart since early in the millennium, when he developed progressive palsy and she Alzheimer’s, the couple talks on the phone daily.
This Valentine’s weekend, the pair celebrates the day of love together and in style.
Second Wind Dreams will see to that.
An international non-profit organization founded in 1997 and new to Unionvilla since December, Second Wind’s mission is to enhance the quality of life for those living in long-term care facilities and change the perception of aging, co-ordinator Barbara Taverner said.
“A dream is a wish your heart makes,” she said. “You’re never too old to have a dream.”
For Mr. Wallace and Ms Rose, living apart due to proximity to health care and financial reasons, the dream was to be reunited during Valentine’s.
When they were informed that would happen, both were elated, Mr. Wallace’s daughter-in-law, Sheila Thomson, said.
“Ruth is so excited,” she said. “She’s calling me every hour. She can’t wait to see John. The last time they were together was November. We took them to the Legion. They went dancing.”
Verbal communication is difficult for Mr. Wallace, who worked for Coopers hockey equipment while living with Ms Rose in St Catharines. Ms Thomson helps her father-in-law via a special alphabetized writing pad.
“John made me mark the date on his calendar so he could count the days,” she said.
Haltingly, Mr. Wallace said he can’t wait to see his beloved and give her a “big kiss”. As he proudly displays a collage of framed photos of Ruth and himself, his eyes twinkle. He recalls their best memories revolve around music and dancing.
Funded expressly by community sponsors, Second Wind has arranged for Ms Rose to be driven to Markham Saturday and returned by limo the next day. She and her beau will have lunch at Unionvilla, time together and dinner at the Bluestone Bistro with family.
Limousine will be courtesy of Highland Funeral Home, a sponsor of the program and transport provider for the three dreams the organization has helped deliver so far.
“It’s humbling to hear the seniors’ dreams and learn what they may have missed out on,” Highland managing director Heather Earle said. “It’s so gratifying to see their faces and see how delighted they are when their dream comes true.
“Second Wind Dreams is a fantastic idea.”
Dreams come in all sizes and shapes, Ms Taverner said. They can be as small as a cup holder on a wheelchair, a day out to the hairdresser or as big as a cross country trip to see relatives and friends.
“The reaction from residents, staff and families has been overwhelming,” she said. “Our goal at Unionvilla is for the dream experience to be so positive for the participants, they get a second wind. They return from their dream celebration feeling special and realizing they have more dreams to fulfill and life to live.”
Unionville Home Society president and CEO Nancy Kula agrees, noting the program “recognizes everyone has dreams and wishes and with a little innovation, they can come true”.
In addition to Highland, Muriel Flowers, New Wave Hair Salon, Coffee Loft, Markville Shopping Centre and Rogers Cable and others have helped with sponsorship dollars and services.
Second Wind wants to make at least one dream come true every month for a senior. It welcomes help and invites queries. If you want to help, e-mail Ms Taverner at btaverner@sympatico.ca or call 905-477-3926.