“There is absolutely no doubt that Leigh is making a difference in the quality of life that our seniors are enjoying. She truly lives out her mission of championing the quality of life for all seniors”
Last year, in February, Leigh had the idea of fulfilling the wish of one of the residents living at Willowbrook. The man’s name was John and about 2-3 times a week for several months he would come into the office and pull out his wallet, reach in and then pull out a folded picture of a Chrysler 300. He would talk to Leigh about how much he loved the design of this car. He simply loved everything about it and would just stare at the picture and smile wondering what it would be like to drive that care. The unfortunate thin was that he would most likely never know because he was a post polio patient and could not walk, let alone drive a car. But his passion in looking at this car and dreaming of being in it week after week gave Leigh the idea to get him into that car.
Leigh started asking more questions about what color of car he would like to be in. What he thought it would feel like, where he would drive to first if he could get into this car. Leigh then called a local Chrysler dealer and asked what she would have to do to make this happen for John. She explained the situation (without using names) and told them about his polio and his dream to be in the Chrysler 300. They told her all she needed was her driver’s license and a copy of her insurance card. She picked up a gunpowder greay car, it was beautiful. She was excited about what they were going to spring on John.
Meanwhile, back at the community, the other team members were helping too. They told his wife just that morning about what was going to happen. She could not have been happier for him. She kept the secret and when we arrived she was waiting at the front so she could see his expression. The care managers had made sure that he was neat and clean and ready to go, his jacket was hidden for him on the first floor.
Leigh rolled up to the front door. John’s was just beaming. Then the team got John in position and told him that something special was about to happen and that his wife already knew. John was bundled up and taken out the front door. His face was at wash at first. He did not know what was happening. Then Leigh explained that the car was for him. They had it for 3-4 hours and that they were here to chauffer him around. John became very excited.
They got him into the car and off they went with Mozart playing. John was a former music teacher and enjoyed classical music. They then went to a coffee shop and got a fresh cup of coffee just the way he liked it. John had them drive around the Hinsdale area. He showed them his favorite houses and places of interest. They drove around for about 1 ½ hours. On the final leg, John wanted to know how fast the car could go. They got to 60 mph in about 5 seconds. That was enough for all of them. When they returned, they took pictures of John in the car. Leigh took the pictures and got them framed. John proudly displayed them in his suite.
This is merely one example of how Ms. Morehead operates on a daily basis for all her residents. You never hear her say she doesn’t have time or that something is a problem. She truly lives out the quote “The answer is yes, now what is the question?”. She never tires of giving of herself unconditionally. When she does take a day off work, you can frequently find her taking a senior somewhere or visiting with them if they are out at a hospital or skilled nursing center. Every time I walk into her community I see how her passion and love is reflected in the faces of the residents who live at Sunrise of Willowbrook. There is absolutely no doubt that Leigh is making a difference in the quality of life that our seniors are enjoying. She truly lives out her mission of championing the quality of life for all seniors!