What is Your Window to the World?
An initiative to promote quality of life and patient safety for the residents at Bruceville Terrace
Steven Wright was one of those rare people that glowed with the light of life. When he smiled, you could see right into his big heart. It was this infectious smile and positive outlook on life that made Steven well-loved by his family, friends and caregivers at Bruceville Terrace. Sadly, Steven passed away on August 19, 2008, at the age of 50, after a 25 year-long battle with multiple sclerosis (MS).
Prior to being incapacitated by MS, Steven was a volunteer for the local fire department as an emergency medical technician and a contributing member to the Elk Grove Lions Club, Elk Grove Historical Society and Elk Grove Chapter of the MS Society.
Toward the end of Steven’s life, he became a resident of Bruceville Terrace. At this point, Steven was no longer able to move his muscles, including those that enabled him to speak. Despite this, Steven continued to enjoy life every day. The thing he enjoyed most was watching his favorite television programs, which kept him connected to the outside world. Like Steven, our residents at Bruceville Terrace depend on their television as a companion as well as a conduit to the world beyond the bricks and mortar of the building.
Today’s Situation
Today, as many as 171 chronically ill and elderly people call Bruceville Terrace home. While Bruceville Terrace offers residents a comfortable, homelike environment, their living space is small in comparison to the homes they previously lived in. Like Steven, they had to give up the comfort of their home and many life-long possessions to adjust to sharing a room that can barely accommodate a bed and a bedside table, much less a television. And with the new digital technology going into effect in February 2009, many of the older televisions owned by the residents will be obsolete, thus cutting off their connection to the outside world.
In memory of Steven Wright, Bruceville Terrace has launched a campaign to raise $125,000 to maintain the homelike environment for our residents. New flat screen televisions are needed that can be hung on the walls to promote patient safety by increasing foot space around the bed. A contribution of $500 can provide a television that will allow more open space and better navigation through the small space, especially for residents who have a wheelchair or a walker.
Last year, through the generosity of donors, Mercy Foundation was able to purchase 30 flat-screen televisions and installed them in patient rooms, making a world of difference for our residence.
You can join with these donors in helping to improve the quality of life and the safety of Bruceville Terrace residents by making a gift to purchase a flat-screen television allowing more open space and windows to the world for ill or elderly patients.
For more information about Bruceville Terrace or our
Window to the World
campaign, please contact Lisa Lent, Chief Philanthropy Officer at (916) 681-1861.
