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Foundation Makes Wishes Come True

Never Too Late has a Luau in Waldron for Wish Recipient Elizabeth Carroll

Friday, October 6, 2006

Bob Haverstick of the Never Too Late Foundation (left) welcomes Elizabeth Carroll (center) to Hawaii with a robust “Aloha!” while placing a lei of fresh orchids around the 76-year-old’s neck at the Waldron Health Care Home. 

Also shown are four of Carroll’s 10 children: (from left) Diana Reed, Shirley Axsom, Linda Thurston and Mary Martin. 

Photo: Luann Mason

WALDRON - One word, "Aloha!" started a journey of a lifetime for Elizabeth Carroll last week as she and nearly all of the residents at Waldron Health Care Home boarded an imaginary flight to Hawaii. 

"Elizabeth Carroll is in her 70s. She raised 10 kids and had never flown before.  She had always dreamed about flying in a plane to go to Hawaii," said Bob Haverstick, founder and executive director of the Indianapolis-based Never Too Late Foundation. He was instrumental in bringing a little bit of Hawaii to this small southeastern Shelby County community for Carroll to experience, by transforming the health-care home into a luau. 

For nearly seven years, Haverstick and an army of volunteers have pooled resources to find ways to show the elderly in society that they are appreciated.  In Shelby County alone, Haverstick, along with the efforts of local volunteers, has granted the wishes of at least a dozen older citizens, generally 65 years of age and older. 

"We started granting wishes in January 2000 and we're fast approaching wish 1,200," Haverstick said. "A lot of lives have been touched. I see the way lives are changed when the wishes are granted. It leaves an indelible mark. It's a mark left in their hearts, minds and souls. This is a whole lot more than fluff. They come alive and so do their family members and caregivers." 

That's the effect he, along with Carroll's 10 children, spouses, grandchildren and the entire health-care staff that included Social Services Director Buffy Powers and Activity Director Tina Smith, wanted for 76-year-old Carroll who struggles with a terminal disease known as Amyloidosis. Amyloidosis attacks soft body tissue. Insoluble protein-fibers within the body become deposited in tissues and organs, impairing their function. 

"It's the wicked stepsister to lymphoma," described Powers before shifting her imagination into high gear to become a Hawaiian tour guide. 

Instantly, she started painting a visual picture by providing statistics about Hawaii. "The forecast is beautiful weather for Hawaii," she announced through a microphone. "The days are long, nights are long and shopping is great!" 

Captain Smith chimed in that upon landing, visitors should be prepared for a feast, sunshine and laughter. Within moments, the imaginary jet landed in Honolulu and everyone hollered, "Aloha!" 

"I want everyone to close your eyes," said Powers. "As you step off the plane, I want you to tell me what you see." From the crowd, someone shouted, "A man with a lei over his head." Another added sandy beaches, palm trees and blue skies; while yet another called out, pineapples and condos with many high stories. Then, "someone coming up the beach on a horse," and "dancing with tricks." "I see the beautiful men and women of the island." 

The delight in their imaginations continued with, "I see a volcano with red lava; dolphins are jumping from the water; turtles, big turtles." 

"Wow," proclaimed Powers. "Isn't it wonderful to go. Isn't it wonderful to escape for just a minute. Thank you Liz!" 

A shout traveled from across the facility's dining hall, "Thank you for taking us!" 

The luau included a lengthy spread of food donated by Country Kitchen Caterers, and Charlotte Battin of Columbus performed authentic Polynesian-Hawaiian dances complete with outfits from the islands. 

"I was very surprised," said 76-year-old Carroll when Hawaii came to her. She never had the opportunity to travel there and had always wanted to. Born in Harrodsburg, Ky., near Lexington, Carroll was the oldest of nine children. She married at age 15 and moved to Shelby County when she was 17 years old. She's lived most of her life in Shelby County. 

According to Diana Reed, one of Carroll's five daughters, Carroll had worked at the Nickel Nook, a White Castle-like restaurant located years and years ago across from the site of the Porter Center on North Harrison Street. "She was a waitress and darn good at it," laughed Reed. "Hamburgers were a nickel, sodas, a nickel, chips, a nickel, everything was a nickel," she said. 

Later in life, Carroll worked in the factory once known as IPC. "We thought we were rich," chuckled Reed. "No matter what happened or how poor we were money wise, there was so much love in our house. 

According to Mary Martin, another one of Carroll's daughters who lives in Shelbyville, many friends compared the Carroll family to the television family, The Walton's. "Every night we'd holler 'good night' to each other by name.  It took a long time. Mom always said, 'Why don't you just say 'good night everybody'?" 

The Carroll children take turns visiting their mother daily in the health care home. "At this point in her life, how great to have children and grandkids who give her unconditional love," said Reed. "She has been blessed 10 times 10 times 10 times over!" 

To submit a wish request for someone, to volunteer, or make a monetary donation to help make wishes come true, contact the Never Too Late Foundation either at www.nevertoolate.org or by phone at (317) 823-4705.

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