Quick to strike up a conversation with anyone she meets, Diane possesses a profound love for people. Due to a developmental disability, she has been harassed and excluded in the past. Yet staying connected to friends remains one of her greatest joys.
At 72, Diane finds a significant sense of purpose by giving back to her San Francisco Bay area community, where she lives with her sister, Gayle. Five days a week, Diane volunteers at the McBride Senior Center and Opportunity House, a thrift store that supports unhoused folks in the area.
“She is so sweet,” Gayle said. “She loves looking out for people and finding ways to brighten their day.”
Diane’s kind heart made an impression on Ray Ann, who met her at a senior center event when she moved back to the area six years ago. “Diane has a great mind for names, and helps check people in for senior programs,” Ray Ann explained. “She is very empathetic and goes out of her way to help take care of others.”
A passion for art
In addition to her love of people, Diane’s passion for art has been a constant throughout her life. As a child with a learning disability, she often faced challenges in school. While her parents worked hard to ensure she received the support she needed, art became her refuge—a place where she could express herself freely, as well as show appreciation for others. “Art is very important to me because it is something I am good at and can do even though I have a learning disability,” Diane said.
Animals of all kinds provide Diane’s favorite source of art inspiration, whether it’s her own cats and dogs that she cares for at home, pet pictures that her friends send her, or photos Gayle takes at the animal rescue where she volunteers. In turn, Diane routinely creates artwork as gifts and for displays at the senior center.
A spark of inspiration
Diane is always seeking new perspectives for her art, but without the ability to drive, along with her struggles with coordination and balance, her animal-viewing opportunities are restricted to home and photos. She remembered going to San Francisco’s California Academy of Sciences back in 2009 and longed to return to the place with so many captivating animals.
Wish of a Lifetime was proud to offer Diane fresh ways to express herself through the hobby that brings her so much joy— a trip to the California Academy of Sciences, with camera in hand.
When Ray Ann learned about Diane’s dream, it gave her an idea. As a previous wish recipient herself who afterward became a wish granting volunteer, Ray Ann thought Diane would be a great candidate to have her wish granted. She filled out the wish application on Diane’s behalf. Wish of a Lifetime was proud to offer Diane fresh ways to express herself through the hobby that brings her so much joy— a trip to the California Academy of Sciences, with camera in hand.
Diane, accompanied by Ray Ann for the trip, was fascinated on their VIP tour featuring an albino alligator, macaws in the rainforest, penguins that you could feed, and a private demonstration in the Naturalist Center.
“It was so interesting!” Ray Ann said. “Diane spotted birds! And the alligator actually swam while we were there! We got to focus on what Diane wanted to do and we got to see everything.”
After the visit, Wish of a Lifetime surprised Diane with a celebration at the senior center, where she was presented with a gift basket filled with art supplies, plus a gift card to purchase more supplies in the future.
Back at home, Gayle has seen Diane’s excitement continue long after the wish experience concluded. “It’s so special that something like this exists,” Gayle said. “There are a lot of people out there that don’t get to be recognized, and having a chance for them to be honored is really great. Diane is going to be doing drawings of the animals and the things she saw for a long time!”
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