Tina lives with MS and uses a wheelchair, but she is known throughout the home for her sense of humour, her kindness, and most famously her absolute love for penguins.
Her room is filled with penguin decorations, and she wears penguin-themed clothes almost every day. So when we asked her about her biggest wish, she didn’t hesitate: she had always dreamed of meeting a real penguin. She also shared, that she didn’t think she ever would.
A trip to the zoo wasn’t possible due to mobility and accessibility challenges, however, Once the team realised it was something she had dreamed of for years, the planning began. After some searching, we found a company called Amazing Animals who could safely bring penguins directly to the home for Tina.
We decided to keep everything completely secret…
On the morning of the visit, we sat down with Tina for what she thought was a simple chat. We asked her what she would do if she ever met a penguin in real life. She smiled and said, “I would cry.” When we asked if she thought she’d ever get the chance, she replied, “No, I don’t think I ever will.”
Moments later, she was taken down to the café for what she believed was her usual morning coffee that was until Pringle and Widget, two adorable penguins, waddled into the room.
Tina’s reaction was great, she was emotional, overwhelmed, and kept saying how happy she felt. She described the whole experience as a “mega day,” saying she would remember it forever.
Tina didn’t want the magic to be just for her. She asked if her friends around the home could meet the penguins too, so Pringle and Widget went on a little tour of Fairfield Manor, delighting other residents and spreading joy throughout the home. Several residents said the visit had truly “made their day,” and the smiles and laughter lingered long after the penguins had waddled away.
It was an absolute joy to bring this magical moment to Fairfield Manor and help make Tina’s penguin dream come true. Seeing her happiness, and the joy it brought to everyone around her, reminded us why creating meaningful experiences is so important. Moments like these highlight the true value of person centred care, where individual wishes and dreams are at the heart of everything we do.
A special thanks to Amazing Animals, who allowed us to bring Tinas Wish to life.
Anyone interested in finding out more about Fairfield Manor Care Home in Stotfold or arranging a tour, please contact Customer Relations Manager, Laura Mills on 07356 189490 or by email at Laura.Mills@countrycourtcare.com.
