Sharon G., 72, of Brookdale Rosehill in Shawnee, KS, is a kind and upbeat lady who keeps a positive attitude despite daily challenges. Sharon has a very special bond with her niece, Trudi, who lives in Ohio. Sharon’s Wish of a Lifetime was to see Trudi again and meet Trudi’s two children for the first time.
People who know Sharon describe her as funny, upbeat, and caring. She enjoys assisting others and often provides support for fellow residents and staff members at her community. In the past, Sharon was heavily involved at her church and volunteered as a Stephen’s Minister. As a Stephen’s minister, she offered one-on-one support to people in her community who were going through difficult times. Family also means a lot to Sharon. She personally took care of her elderly parents until they passed away. Since she does not have any children of her own, she considers Trudi a daughter. Sharon has always admired Trudi, who was born with cerebral palsy, but fought to overcome her physical challenges. Trudi learned how to walk and drive, graduated from college, became a special education teacher, and started a family of her own.
Prior to living in her Brookdale community, Sharon lived a very healthy and independent life with her dog. About two years ago, Sharon was hit with an unexpected stroke, which significantly limited her mobility. After the stroke, she relies on a wheelchair. This abrupt transition in her life was very difficult for Sharon, but thinking about Trudi’s perseverance and bravery made it easier to adjust. She finds comfort in knowing that Trudi overcame her challenges, and so can she.
Thanks to Wish of a Lifetime and Brookdale, on August 12, 2015, Sharon’s Wish became a reality when Trudi and her whole family traveled from Ohio to Kansas to see Sharon. In addition to seeing Trudi again, Sharon also looked forward to meeting Trudi’s son and daughter for the first time. Sharon’s brother, who is also Trudi’s father, also arranged a trip to Kansas to be a part of the special aunt-and-niece reunion. For their reunion, Sharon hosted her family at her Brookdale residence and shared some of her favorite activities with them. Sharon, Trudi, and her children enjoyed bowling, painting, and playing Wii together.
Photos by Pamela Williams Photography
