On Monday, March 21st, Shepherd of the Valley-Niles staff went to the mat for resident Terry Schlabaugh, whose dream was to go to a WWE event and see John Cena.
“Terry’s wardrobe consists primarily of WWE and Pittsburgh Steelers T-shirts,” explained Kristen Taylor, Admissions/Marketing Director. “We thought the best way to fulfill his dream was to take him to a WWE event in his favorite city! We saw that Monday Night Raw was coming to the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh on March 21, so we wrote to the WWE and asked them to tag team with us. We were thrilled when they sent six 3rd row tickets!” “I was shocked when she came in my room with the tickets,” a smiling Terry said when the staff surprised him with the tickets. “I’d do anything to see John Cena.”
Terry, wearing the WWE t-shirt staff member Bill Gifford bought for him, and the Shepherd staff started their adventure loaded down with the signs staff helped Terry make. The 3rd row seats gave Terry a great view of the wrestlers and an added bonus was provided by Alyssa Blumling, Assistant Marketing Director for the Consol Energy Center, who presented Terry with a magazine, DVD, stocking cap, baseball cap, and John Cena wristbands to commemorate the occasion.
“It was fabulous,” said Kim Osborn, Activity Director. “I mean, just to be able to grant dreams for somebody who doesn’t think anything’s possible. It’s just a dream for all of us as well. Terry was so excited, he talked all about it to staff the following day,” she continued. “Seeing his favorite wrestlers, John Cena, Kane, and The Big Show, put him on cloud nine.”
“I have been watching wrestling ever since I was little, and I’m so happy that my dream [to see them in person] came true,” Terry said.
Fulfilling Terry’s dream is part of Shepherd of the Valley’s Second Wind Dreams program which helps our seniors realize one more dream. The national program (www.secondwind.org) highlights the positive aspects of aging and encourages the community to join in on the celebration of life in our elders, making their dreams a reality, and joining the rewarding quest by becoming DREAM WEAVERS.
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