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Ninety-eight year old Betty Fulfils Life-Long Dream to go Ice Skating

At the age of 98, Betty Thompson, a resident of Baily House Care Home in Mansfield, has finally realised her life-long dream to go ice skating. Staff at Baily House took Betty to the Lammas Leisure Centre in Sutton where she had the ice rink to herself and was able fulfil her long-held wish at last.

Betty is severely visually impaired and the team at Baily House had noticed that she had become quieter in recent weeks. In a bid to encourage her social side the dedicated ‘Ambitions’ team at Baily House discussed her life-long dreams with her. Betty revealed that as a child, and through-out life, she had always wanted to ice skate, but her family could not afford it and her mother said, ‘people like us don’t waste money on such things.’ Betty believed her but never lost the desire to get on the ice.

Betty’s mood entirely changed as soon as she knew her wish would be coming true, she was up-beat and excited and couldn’t wait to get on the ice. On the day, she was pushed in her wheelchair around the rink by Jenna Hemmings, Ambitions Co-ordinator at Baily House, for as long as she wished.

Betty said: “It was a magical day. I have just enjoyed getting out and feeling normal, being around other people on the ice. They did not tip me out and I had a wonderful time.”

Ashley Baird, Home Manager at Baily House, said: “We are delighted to have been able to help Betty achieve her dream. The team here go out of their way to get to know each resident individually and to understand their interests and what they still want to achieve. We look after our residents both physically and mentally and try to make their wishes come true.”

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