By Meg Hibbert
Contributing Writer
Forty-eight women and men at Joseph C. Thomas Center at Friendship Richfield Living have somebody new to care for, thanks to a special delivery of Pearl’s Memory Babies during Valentine’s week.
JCT Administrator April Hutton Morris got a grant for the babies and puppies, who arrived last Thursday complete with a baby shower reception.
“Seeing their faces light up, hearing them naming their babies and watching their interactions brought tears,” said Ronda Philips, whose 91-year-old mother, Debby Kohn, received a baby.
“The men began naming their puppies right away and the ladies started trying to decide on names, too.”
One of the men was Kenny Trail, who, with his wife Carolyn, named his dog Oreo.
Philips said her mother named her baby Anthony, after her niece’s husband “whom we all loved so dearly and we lost to cancer years ago.”
“It was one of the most tearjerking moments I have ever been part of, said Beverly Adams, JCT Activities Director. “Seeing those residents hug their babies, sing to those babies…It’s calming them down so much. They’re sleeping better and interacting more,” Adams added.
Every year Pearl’s Memory Babies donates babies and dogs to two facilities. This year JCT was one chosen.
The baby shower featured a pink and blue cake and frosted cookies shaped like baby items. Those were baked by Sissy’s Sweets of Christiansburg, Adams said.
When April Morris wrote Pearl’s Memory Babies how memorable the adoption was, the organization responded, “Our hearts are so full! Such a blessing when they have that comfort. Their forever companions! It is our honor.”
Morris said, “I cried watching them cuddle and sing to their babies. I understand a lot of them slept with their babies and puppies.”
According to Pearl’s Memory Babies website, the organization’s goal is “to enrich the lives of Alzheimer’s patients.”
When the founder Sandy’s mother, Pearl, developed Alzheimer’s years ago, Sandy and her best friend Shannon gave dolls to their mothers. Seeing what an impact they made, the two gave dolls and puppies to all the residents in Pearl’s residential facility. Sandy said the doll was the only thing that gave Pearl comfort.
“It seems to rekindle something inside their memories and hearts for many of them, and can calm them,” wrote Sandy.
The organization based in Kentucky accepts donations at www.PearlsMemoryBabies.com/donate to help continue the work.