NEWTON, NC—A hospice patient fulfilled her lifelong dream of meeting and feeding a giraffe thanks to the Life Enrichment Fund through the Carolina Caring Foundation.
Deborah, a patient at Carolina Caring, has always been fascinated by the wildlife of Africa, the work of Jane Goodall, and the unique beauty of giraffes. Her daughter Tina recalls that, growing up, Deborah would fill their home with giraffe-themed figurines, artwork, and even windchimes or other outdoor decorations. Now that Deborah receives hospice care at home, Tina goes out of her way to bring her mother new yet familiar gifts: giraffe necklaces, paintings, blankets, and other items that sprinkle joy in Deborah’s heart.
Deborah has always had an adventurous spirit. In the past, she tried many new experiences—including a fun helicopter ride with her family during a beach trip—but one thing she always yearned to do was meet a giraffe.
Her Carolina Caring social worker, Carley, recognized this dream and soon created a pathway for this wish to come true.
“I’ve cared for Deborah for a while,” said Carley, “and for as long as I can remember, she has talked about wanting to meet a giraffe. I decided to plan a trip to the nearest zoo and get her entire family involved as a special surprise. I think it’s amazing that Deborah keeps these hopes and dreams she wants to accomplish, even despite her serious illness journey.”
After talking with Deborah’s daughter, Tina, Carley learned that this kind of trip was something that the family had wanted to do for a long time, yet they lacked the resources and support to make it happen. Carolina Caring was that extra source of support. Carley connected with Carolina Caring Foundation and secured the trip through the organization’s Life Enrichment Fund, a community-supported fund providing meaningful experiences and non-essential medical support to patients at Carolina Caring.
They determined that the destination would be the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro, NC. Carolina Caring Foundation covered expenses for fourteen participants—including Deborah’s children, grandchildren, and nursing staff—so that Deborah could experience this wish with all her loved ones.
Carley and Tina remark that the zoo provided a delightful experience in which Deborah’s needs and the needs of her family members, some of whom use American Sign Language, were fully accommodated.
“The zoo can’t force giraffes to go up to the feeding area even when there are visitors around,” said Carley. “Bringing Deborah from her home and all the way to the zoo was a risk. But as soon as we arrived at the giraffe exhibit, I saw one giraffe stand up and walk directly over to the feeding area. We rushed Deborah and her whole family up there just in time—everything about the day was, in my opinion, a God thing.”
The moment that Deborah fed the giraffes, she burst into tears of joy. Tina and Carley report that the moment together was so ripe with emotion, there was not a dry eye on the feeding deck. Even after the visit was completed, Tina recalled how powerful it was to hear her mother say, “If I pass away on our drive back home, that’s okay.”
Carolina Caring gave this family more than just a trip to the zoo. They provided a celebration and memory-making that the family will now forever carry in their hearts and minds.
“People need to understand that hospice is not a dirty word,” shared Tina, emphasizing that the day not only gave her mother joy, but also revealed the true spirit of hospice. “Hospice doesn’t mean that you will die tomorrow. It just means that people will allow you to take the end-of-life
journey the way you want.
“In my thirty-five years working as a nurse, I have kept people alive—and hospice keeps people in peace. You do not need to be scared of hospice.”
Carolina Caring Foundation, donors, and community partners help patients make the most of every moment. That is the heart of our staff, and that is the heart of our compassionate care. For more information about Carolina Caring, its services, and its mission to provide high-quality, comprehensive care for patients living with serious illness, please visit the organization’s website, carolinacaring.org or call 828.466.0466. To learn more about the Carolina Caring Foundation and how your gift can make a difference in the lives of patients like Deborah, visit carolinacaring.org/our-foundation/.
Pictured Above: Deborah, hospice patient, is joined by her family and Carolina Caring care team as she feeds giraffes at the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro, NC.
ABOUT CAROLINA CARING
Founded in 1979, Carolina Caring is an independent, community-based, nonprofit healthcare provider. It specializes in programs that offer relief from chronic conditions, serious illnesses, and the challenges they bring, including palliative medicine and hospice care for all ages, primary care, and grief counseling. Carolina Caring serves 12 counties across western North Carolina and the Charlotte Region. For more information about the organization and its mission, please call (828) 466-0466 or visit www.carolinacaring.org.
ABOUT CAROLINA CARING FOUNDATION
The Carolina Caring Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit which supports Carolina Caring by securing funding, cultivating community partnerships, and connecting donors to the needs of patients and families. We serve individuals who may otherwise go without care through the diligent effort of our philanthropic goals: Grief & Healing, Innovation, Life Enrichment, Cardinal Kids, Charity Care, and Capital Expenses.
