Community Nursing Services (CNS), Utah’s oldest nonprofit home health and hospice agency, has a message for the people they serve–you’re never too old and it’s never too late for a wish.
Daniel, a hospice patient in Logan, had a wish for a peaceful afternoon sitting in his favorite comfy chair with a few of his favorite snacks, enjoying his favorite TV show, Gunsmoke, again. Thanks to some real life genies from the CNS Wish program, he was able to do just that. With a new complete series DVD set, and plenty of popcorn, brownies and rice krispie treats at hand, Daniel was able to watch Marshal Matt Dillon save Dodge City once again, just as he had as a little boy.
Started in 2010 by then CEO Brent Jones, the CNS Wish program was created to give hospice patients an opportunity to have one more small adventure or relive a precious memory from their life. Since the program’s inception, over 1,400 people in the state of Utah have had a wish fulfilled.
According to Cody Johnon, CNS Area Manager for the Logan and Brigham City offices, the wishes are simple but special and have included things like going for a ride in a sports car, finishing a personal or family history, or taking a plane ride over their hometown.
“For many people, their wish is to get their family together for a meal,” said Johnson. “It’s amazing that that is really what it comes down to. A lot of wishes have to do with food, but it’s not about the food–it’s about being together.”
And the CNS Wish team of social workers and other dedicated workers and volunteers join forces to make that time together happen. Patient-favorite restaurants like Angie’s, Texas Roadhouse, and Maddox have donated meals. Maverik has given discounted gas cards for family travel. Many people work together to help orchestrate a simple but beautiful moment.
For Johnson, some of the most memorable and touching wishes have to do with reconciling with a family member, such as one particular story involving Clyde, a homeless veteran who ended up at the Brigham City nursing home. His deepest desire was to reconcile with the family back East he hadn’t seen in over 30 years. His social worker went into action.
After some dedicated research and persistent contacting, the social worker was able to locate Clyde’s brother. Another brother lived close by and through the CNS Wish program funds, plane tickets were bought for a family reunion.
The brothers flew into Salt Lake and were driven by shuttle to Brigham City. They were met by a CNS employee who told them they had to hurry–Clyde was running out of time. For ten precious minutes, a family was able to be together again before a man who had been lost died knowing he was found. Once again the social worker stepped up and was able to arrange a military funeral before Clyde’s brothers went back home three days later.
As evidenced by two men who flew home with a peace of mind they hadn’t known for 30 years, the wishes don’t just benefit the one making them.
“Dying is a hard time of life–for everybody involved,” said Johnson. “For the patient that has been living in pain and misery, it’s going to be a relief per se. But for the family, they want to have something else to cling on to that’s not related to the death. They can look at the pictures from a wish and say ‘You know, that was a great day, Mom loved that.’”
Such as is the case when Susan Barrus looks at the pictures of her father-in-law’s special day. Jay was an avid skier from 4 to 84 and was an alternate for the US Olympic Ski Team in 1952. His wish was to go for one last ride surrounded by the pine trees and sparkling snow. A whole lot of teamwork made that happen. Common Ground donated a special sled. Beaver Mountain treated their guest as a VIP and took especially great care of him throughout the experience. Children, grandchildren, and even a great grandchild were there to cheer Jay on as the ski patrol took him down the mountain.
“He was in his element,” said Barrus. “It was fun for us because we knew what he had had to give up, even if he didn’t always remember what he had given up. It was wonderful for us to see him get that sense of freedom and flying and speed like he used to have, compared to the slow pace that he had been diminished to.”
Barrus said she is very grateful to Common Ground, Beaver Mountain and the CNS Wish team for making her father-in-law’s special day such a memorable one. She is also grateful to those who support the CNS Wish program financially.
“I’m not sure where all their funding comes from, but it is very meaningful and appreciated,” said Barrus.
The CNS Wish program is made possible entirely from donations. The fund is built from a combination of fundraising efforts and online donations. The fund isn’t always necessary to fulfil a wish as many businesses donate time and goods as well.
For anyone “wishing” to contribute, a donation can be made through the website at www.cns-cares.org. However, a monetary contribution isn’t the only way to make a difference.
“If someone has something to offer, they can call us,” said Johnson, “Someone might have a banquet room they want to open up for an occasion, or someone might call saying ‘We want to provide lodging for a family coming in.”
For more information about donating money, time and/or other resources, people can call the Logan CNS office at 435-752-3355.
“It’s something that you can contribute to and help with that is actually going to make a difference,” said Johnson. “You know you’re going to be involved in something that is going to be memorable for a family.”