Organization fulfills wishes of Canadian seniors
Victor Althiem, 78, has been missing his favorite hobby for years: rock hounding at Amethyst Cove, NS
In his younger years, Althiem used rope to climb down a cliff near the bay in search of all kinds of crystals, minerals and rocks.
As he grew older, the senior’s pastime seemed less and less feasible – until We Are Young (WAY) fulfilled Althiem’s wish to revisit his cherished hobby.
Katie Mahoney, co-founder of WAY, says the registered charity focuses on bringing a positive experience to older Canadians.
“We mainly fulfill three kinds of wishes,” Mahoney told CTV’s Your Morning on Tuesday. “They revisit a hobby a senior gave up due to age-related barriers, fulfill a lifelong dream, or reconnect with family or loved ones they haven’t seen in years.”
Athiem’s wish was to go on a rock hunt with his son, but the descent down the cliff at Amethyst Cove made the trek challenging. Instead, WAY rented a boat so he could relive his favorite pastime.
“It has boosted his confidence and positively changed him knowing that anything is possible now,” said Mahoney.
The organization grew out of an experience Mahoney had with an older adult. After being nominated in her early 20s to show an act of kindness, Mahoney chose to spend quality time with a senior who often did selfless acts.
“We spent the day together and I learned a lot about her hardships, her personal sacrifices,” said Mahoney. “But what I learned the most was that that was the first time in years that someone made a day about her.”
The experience changed Mahoney’s perception of how older adults in Canada are cared for and portrayed in society and forced her to help make their dreams come true.
“They have made so many sacrifices and selflessly put the needs of others (before) their own and to this day have these dreams, but are now left with age-related barriers that prevent them from fulfilling these dreams.”
WAY, which first launched in Halifax, is now opening applications in Ontario with the goal of fulfilling wishes for senior citizens across the country.
Since its inception, the Canadian organization has fulfilled 46 wishes and 7,800 minor wishes for senior citizens in Canada.
Click on the video at the top of this article to watch the full interview.
