Beech Tree News Network

Walt Disney stated, “You’re dead if you aim only for kids.  Adults are only kids grown up anyway.” His famous words ring true, Disney is not just for young children it’s also for the young at heart.  Morgantown Care and Rehab was able to take two elders to Disney World on a once in a lifetime excursion for the third time in three years. 

This year 90 elders and care givers from the Kentucky and Tennessee area were able to participate in this trip.  There are certain requirements that must be met in order to be eligible to go such as being able to walk so many steps, and be able to complete certain tasks for themselves.  All that meet this requirement are put into a drawing and two are chosen to go.  Each year they have tried to alternate between taking two females and two males.  This year the lucky two were Sally Miller and Myrtie Rutherford. The two ladies were accompanied by Cindy Stewart, the Quality of Life Director and Deanna Phelps, ADON.  Cindy and Deanna were available to help the ladies with their care on the trip and to ensure they had a fun time. The crew left out on Monday November 7^th, and returned on Thursday November 10^th.  Each day started around 8:30am and the ladies toured, ate, and watched performances at the park until they retired at 11:00pm. 

Sally Miller advised that she could not wait to go to Disney. When asked how she reacted when told she was going her response was, “I about fainted…it didn’t seem real!”  She said it was like a dream come true, and seemed like the time would take forever for it to get here.  Some of Sally’s favorite things at Disney was seeing the Country Bear Jamboree show, and being able to meet Mickey, Minnie, and getting kisses from Pluto.  Originally from California, Sally had visited Disneyland before and had flown.  However, for Myrtie this trip was a first for her.  It was her first visit to a Disney park and her first time flying.  Myrtie said her favorite thing about the trip was their hotel rooms, and said she slept like a baby in the huge bed.  Sally said that everyone was so nice at the park to them and the attitude around the park gave it a spiritual feeling to be so close to others and their kindness. 

Both ladies and their caregivers agreed that one of the most memorable things there was being able to see performances by Boyz II Men, Garth Brooks, and Trisha Yearwood.  All were filming their holiday specials while the ladies were visiting Disney.  Another memorable moment was when the travelers boarded what they thought was a train and it turned out to be the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, which is a roller coaster.  Sally advised that was a ride she would never forget…even though she never wants to ride it again.

Cindy Stewart said that all the work and fundraising is worth it once they arrive at Disney and see the elders smile and laugh.  Morgantown Care and Rehab wants to thank everyone for their help in the fundraising efforts.  Once again, the flight, rooms, passes, and all accommodations were made possible from fundraising events.