January 3, 2009: The thundering sound of silence
So many of you asked what you could do to help Windchill and the Legacy in 2008. One of my responses to your question was to tell us your story of how the story of Windchill changed your life. Hmmmm’ing and hawwwwing…. “I want somebody else to go first…” And they did. John Henderson went first. Then Anne Labelle. These are people just like YOU. Modest, they don’t do things for personal attention and in fact the act of telling their story pushed their envelopes a little bit. Just as it should. All of our envelopes need to be pushed, we need to leave the comfort of the routines and daily rituals that comprise our lives. The lives of all the beings here at Raindance were forever changed as a result of Windchill’s fight for life - our envelopes were not only stretched and pushed - they were torn wide open and led to new directions. We’ve not allowed ourselves to be confined to an ‘envelope’ since.
Suddenly there was silence after my answer to what you can do. Silence is the ally of the oppressor. They count on all of us to be silent. Those that abuse and neglect need your silence to be successful. To paraphrase a quote - the smallest act is far more powerful than the grandest intention.
The trial for those that own the facility that Windchill slowly and silently died at is January 20, 2009
Will you remain silent?
Jeff Tucker
January 3, 2009: Follow-up report on our visit to Great Lakes Elementary School on 12/19/08
(this is a follow-up report originally sent to Legacy board members specifically on our visit to Great Lakes Elementary School’s 2nd grade classes by Paula Moore who visited the school with Carole Bakke, Jeff Tucker & Magic)
Fri. Dec. 19th Our second educational outreach with Magic!!!!!!!!
Today at 9:30 am The WIndChill Legacy,Ltd was invited to give another 1 ½ hr. presentation to a new group of 37 2nd graders at Great Lakes Elementary in Superior Wisconsin. The teachers met Carole and I at the door. They were VERY anxious because of the weather. Jeff came from South Range to Superior on slippery roads. Carole and I came from Duluth with lake winds blowing lake snow to make it slippery, foggy, and white out conditions going down the hill and across the bridge to Superior.
Other staff greeted us as we walked the halls remembering us from last week. They thanked us for giving them such a special opportunity. Carole mentioned how good it feels to be spreading the Spirit of WindChill .
Carole and I greeted the children as they walked into the classroom. I saw the horse tags the kids made from my template. They all have their names on them and are decorated so differently. I especially compliment one Special Ed student for his nametag being so unique from the others. He was also the first one to raise his hand to answer a question of mine and the first one to get a WindChill sticker. One girl brought her plastic horse. One boy asked if WIndChill was dead. I said yes. His friend asked where did he go. I said he crossed the rainbow bridge into heaven.
The students again could not believe a real horse was coming to school. One boy asked, “Does she know her ABC’s? I said yes because she wrote, Magic was here ’08 and Mini’s rule with black marker on her stable wall. As I did my presentation, hands went up fast to answer my questions and get a sticker.
I learned from the last presentation that I do have the time to get deeper into the message to reinforce the message and relate it more to the basic needs of the students themselves and their pets. I just felt the electricity and excitement with this new twist. The students gave me their absolute attention. Gramma Carole remarked how they asked and answered questions that showed deep thought. Gramma Carole said I handled the questions well. Even Jeff remarked when they were around Magic that it was non-stop questions. Having their names on the nametags helped us be personal and made for good classroom management.
They were sad for WindChill. This group especially empathized with him being so lonely. Jeff even noticed how many times they asked if Magic had any friends on the ranch. Was she ever lonely? Who was her most special and favorite friend? That stumped Jeff and I looked at him and went DUH in my mind and said that is you Jeff. Jeff had to explain that Magic had really big friends on the ranch and all the little creatures too. They ooh and awed.
Of course I had to tell the elevator story at St. Ann’s. I even asked Jeff to demonstrate what Magic did when she felt herself weightless. Jeff gave me THE LOOK!!@@——THE DOUBLE LOOK!!!!@@@@. Of course the students were quiet with eager eyes waiting for Jeff to do the Magic impression. He was good. The kids laughed. Carole and I gave each other THE AAAAAAAHHHHH LOOK!
So it was payback for me. The children asked if Magic ever moved or ran. I told about the mornings when Jeff gets Magic out early to burn off a little energy. And how she is runs and jumps and kicks up her heels. Jeff says very loudly that Paula should demonstrate that to you. I give THE LOOK to Jeff like are you crazy. He gives me the PAYBACK EMBARRASS ME WILL YOU LOOK. I look at Carole who has the biggest grin. I just said I should but I won’t.
Some of the staff who came in last week, wondered who Jeff was. He did not have his cowboy hat on or his drover coat on like last week. (ha!) Carole and I can tell Jeff a thing or two about the importance of wearing designer clothes.
Again Magic was such a lady. The students get so up close and personal. She is a trooper. She loves the attention. Her coat was even softer than ever before. These students felt very comfortable around her. The students did more petting around Magic’s face this time. They wanted to pet her white star. We were interrupted by this booming voice coming from over the PA system: “Is the mini pony in the building?” There was a loud and resounding yes. More people came down with cameras and Magic did not flinch an eye. Each of the students got a second chance to pet Magic but as they sat on the floor, they kept getting closer to Magic. I had to explain horse space and how Magic had a double duty because she has to respect people space too. (Kathi had explained that to me. At St. Ann’s the rows of chairs although spaced far enough for Jeff and Magic to walk through, let people from the previous row that had already been petted Magic, reach over and continue petting her.) Magic was sweet about it all——- but deserves the same respect for who she is as we do for ourselves.
Jeff asked if there were any other students who wanted to pet Magic. I went down the hall and found a tutor with a 3rd grader. The tutor said, “A real horse is in the building. You did say a real horse?” I led both of them to Magic. The 3rd grader was scared to touch Magic and even with encouragements she refused. I complimented her with being honest about how she felt. Not long ago Gramma Carole and I felt the same way. Her tutor on the other hand knelt down with a few creaks of the knees to Magic’s level and hugged and caressed her for a long time.
Then as it was time to go, Carole, Jeff, Magic, and I all got serenaded with a THANK YOU SONG!!!!!!!! from the students. WE WERE IMPRESSED!!!!!!! This time we were in awe. I have to hand it to the teachers. They did an excellent job of helping their students show their best manners. (kind of like Jeff with Magic) This continues to be wonderful experience for all of us. Thank you WindChill.
December 20, 2008: Sunrise to Sunset with Magic
A report from Paula Moore, board director and education coordinator for the WindChill Legacy, Ltd:
Can you believe it we did both a school outreach and a nursing home outreach today? (and maybe shopping at the Mall?) Magic beamed and soaked up all the attention. She went with the flow and had such a relaxed temperament. Jeff and I on the other hand were filled with joy as we saw the reactions of young and old open their hearts to Magic. I just can not put it into words, you would have to be there.
12/19 Magic’s 3:00 visit to Chris Jenson’s Health and Rehabilitation Center (Duluth, MN) & Great Lakes Elementary School (Superior, WI)
We have to talk about the weather today. Jeff, Gramma Carole and I had a 9:30 program going on at Great Lakes Elementary and a 3:00 outreach at Chris Jenson. 5 minutes before the students came into the classroom, my phone rings. It is the activity director from Chris Jenson asking if we are still coming at 3:00 this afternoon. She said she had a terrible time driving to work and could understand if we canceled. I told her I would talk to Jeff. When he arrived he said to go through with it. Marlene,(the AD) could not believe it and was thrilled but worried. After we were done with the school program I drove Carole back to work. It was awful driving back over the bridge in the fog and heavy snow. The roads were very greasy. I called Jeff to warn him about driving around Duluth. To my surprise Jeff and Magic were already in Duluth up at the Miller Hill Mall, a big shopping center. It is called the Miller Hill Mall because it is at the top of the biggest hill in Duluth.
I arrived at Chris Jenson around 2:30. After talking to the activity director, I waited for Jeff to show up. As I waited, a woman visiting from Texas and her brother from Rice Lake, WI (90 miles away where the sun was shining) were taking a break from a birthday party for their mom who has Alzheimer’s. I talked about Windchill and Magic. They waited for 20 minutes in the cold snow to see if I was telling the truth and boy was I relieved when Jeff unloaded Magic. (HA!)They told me their mother was on a locked ward. Was there a chance we could go visit her? I said I would ask permission.
Jeff came and Magic was an instant hit. The staff really knew the residents. The staff made us laugh many times as the residents looked in disbelief or made interesting comments. I know Jeff and I will remember the smiles, all the smiles. One woman begged us to leave Magic here. It got kind of crowded around Magic. I tried to make space. The staff helped too. Again Magic accepted all the wheelchairs up against her body. The residents all wanted to be up close to pet Magic. We met so many people who had horses. They had lived in a different time when horses did the work of tractors and they were not pets. One woman talked about a surprise present for her and her sister, a Shetland pony. She waited for over an hour as Jeff and I came back through to grab my arm to tell me her horse’s name was Sparkle.
Jeff and I did get permission to go on the Alzheimer’s ward to crash the birthday party. It brought such joy to the whole family. The family has a great sense of humor and laughter flowed. Their mom was so funny too with her responses to Magic. We walked down the hall meeting everyone on the ward. Jeff and Magic were so calm. Residents came out of their rooms. We spent quality time with every patient. I can’t tell you enough how the staff worked hard to get every one out. With some of the people I had to hold their hand as they stroked Magic. Jeff had to maneuver Magic just right. We even woke a resident up from a nap. She was delighted to wake up to find a real cowboy and his horse in her room. It was not a dream.
When the staff heard Magic was comfortable riding in an elevator we were asked to go up to the 2nd floor. Jeff said ok. Magic learns fast. The elevator posed no problem at all. Again we went down the hall stopping as staff brought out residents. Again it was amazing how patient Magic and Jeff are. Everyone could not believe it. Jeff says she acts different at the ranch. However when she sees she is going into a building she knows what her job is and what is expected of her. She has no problem walking into rooms and around medical equipment. She is a dainty lady.
You cannot believe how she plays up to every resident, sniffing them, putting her head gently on a lap, posing for pictures. She never tires of hearing how cute she is. As Magic and Jeff walked into the last room of a young man confined to his bed the man’s face lit up and he had the biggest smile. He was so surprised to see one of the cutest faces inches from his. Magic on cue was right there blowing her hot breath on his face. She knew exactly what she needed to do to make that person’s day.
Well to say the least we were a big hit. The air was sooooooo full of joy, laughter, and excitement. We were asked many times by the residents to come back. As we were leaving, a janitor was sweeping up a popcorn mess on the floor. I yelled, “It wasn’t us.” He looked up and laughed. He had to come over to pet Magic and ask questions. The activity director said she knows she will be asking us back a lot. She was so busy taking pictures. She also had the biggest smile on her face as she saw the interaction going on between Magic, Jeff, and the residents. She kept on saying as she took pictures, oh this is so good and thanked us for coming so many times.
Again Magic has a very special way of opening the doors for us to bring the message of the WindChill Legacy.
———————————————–
Follow-up note from Jeff Tucker, board member and “Cowboy”:
I’d really like to thank Paula Moore and Gramma Carole for their dedication and hard work in setting up these visit to the elementary schools and to the nursing homes. From first contact to coordination of the visits to waiting outside during a blustery snowstorm they’re there waiting for the arrival of Magic’s motorcade. I do not do it justice when I tell you Paula’s warmth and energy draws people in and keeps them excited and listening as she talks about horses, Windchill, Magic and the occasional story of a cowboy and those embarrassing moments she never seems to forget! Paula has designed a full program that’s poignant, educational and uplifting. It’s been viewed by a school district’s social worker/counselor and was so positively received the program’s been recommended to all of the district’s schools. At the schools and the nursing homes Paula talks to the group and makes people laugh as Magic and I wander around the room - that is truly a gift. A long time ago I had a radio program on a christian radio station, it was an hour long show each weekday in which we played contemporary christian music for folks as an alternative to the boring ‘old’ people’s music and I developed a respect for folks who are able to publicly speak and keep conversation going.
Paula talked a bit about the man whose face lit up when Magic walked into the room. What she didn’t mention was that he was unable to move any part of his body except his face. In watching Magic at these visits I’ve learned she responds to people differently. Kids - she’s pretty good at handling their loud voices and the hugs and rapid movements but if too many crowd her she’s willing to back out of the situation. When it’s time to go, she’s none the worse for wear. At the nursing home visits she’s a different horse. She moves slower, she’s cautious around the seniors and she seems to know to approach these folks more gentley. She also tends to go up to a person in a wheelchair and sniff - and then stand and wait. Some folks have never seen a horse before - they’re scared. She knows and just stands still. Soon a hand slowly inches toward her…and soon that hand is petting her. A smile appears. She rests her nose on their leg. And then it’s on to the next person. Time and again I’ve inched her towards another senior citizen…the slow approach…the lowering of her head. As walkers and wheelchairs surround her, she doesn’t attempt to back out. She stands patiently, calmly, eyes serenely taking in the attention, not moving a muscle. The gentleman I was referring to that couldn’t move - she somehow knew. She approached, waiting for that hand to come out. It didn’t. She inched closer…her nose inches from his now widely smiling face. She laid her head across his chest and stayed there for I don’t know how long. Two beings shared the same air and the same sense of happiness. The staff person took picture after picture. It was time for us to go. When I looked back he was still smiling wide.
I don’t have a lot of experience working in areas such as an alzheimer’s unit like we visited. Being suddenly grabbed or hugged is a new experience for me. Paula’s background working with mentally impaired kids guided our way. We went all the way down the hall, stopping where residents were standing, waiting for staff to ask at various rooms if they’d like to see a horse. In stunned disbelief they would stare as Magic walked up to them. The lady that the staff woke up that Paula mentioned above was quite the flirt…after petting Magic as we were turning to leave she called after me “come back when you have some spare time.”
As brought her over to another gentleman in a wheelchair who had patiently waited to see her, a huge smile broke out on his somber face. A hand resting on her head he looked up at me and said “I’m 91 years old and this is the first time in my life I’ve ever petted a horse.” I was honored to be a part of that first time for him. I hope there will be more times.
Over and over Paula and I got to hear “I remember…” Those words were my entire mission in wanting to bring a horse to our senior citizen friends. The rest of the magic that’s happening - the education, the doors opening, the friendships - that’s all icing on the cake. To me, the smiles, the surprised exclamations and laughter - and those words - “I remember when…” are the true magic a little horse is spreading.
One of the most powerful - and yet sad - quotes that I will remember from our visit to the alzheimer’s unit at Chris Jenson was a sweet little lady sitting in a chair. She waited for us to come over, she was thrilled to pet Magic. She looked at Paula and said “I’ll remember you forever.” She said it with such sincerity, so heartfelt. I hope she does remember. I know I’ll remember her forever. So will Paula. Maybe somehow the two of us remembering her forever will help keep that flicker of memory in her heart forever.
Finally, our visit over, I led Magic to the trailer. She had earned her treats. She had earned her rest. I know they talk about how emotionally draining it can be for therapy dogs to work with people who are ill. As tired as I am after a visit like this, I can only imagine how tired Magic is. That’s when we both get our unwinding time - we come home, I unload her from the trailer, she gets more treats if she wants and we both just relax. She returns to life as the little bossy horse and gets to take it easy and run around the pen (she’s taken to steamrollering through the deep snow, racing in wide circles and then racing for all she’s worth on the long stretch from front to back). I’m really proud of that little gal, she’s lived up to her name.
Jeff Tucker
December 13, 2008: More senior moments with Magic
(a report from Paula Moore, board member and educational coordinator about our visit to St. Ann’s, an assisted living facility near St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth, MN):
12/13 Magic’s visit to St. Ann’s Assisted Living Residence
Why did Jeff and Magic cross one of the busiest 3 lane streets in Duluth? To get to St. Ann’s for a 2:00 program. How do you tell your family and friends,” I saw a cowboy and a little, really little horse cross 3rd street at 2:00 this afternoon?” Are they going to believe you? Well 60 people at St. Ann’s will believe you.
We had a wonderful audience of very interested people who had had horses when they were young. They were informed about WindChill and had followed his story. When the first picture of my power point came on, one woman pointed and said to her friend sitting next to her, “That is WindChill.”
As I went through pictures of WindChill I could hear the gasps and murmurs and saw the shaking of the heads as the pictures told WindChill’s story. It was only a 12 min. presentation but the activity director said it was powerful but yet positive.
Jeff and Kathi had to park in a church parking lot across the street. Parking is at a premium due to St. Ann’s being next door to a major hospital. They were patient as people got settled and I talked a bit. When Magic came in you heard the awes. Jeff said he heard comments like. Is the horse housebroken? Will it pee? What a mess it will make. This is a major concern. One resident asked how Jeff trained her not to pee. Jeff said he didn’t do anything. He says she is just that way. Well Magic is a lady with manners.
Magic wore her Santa hat proudly. The cowboy has stamina. He went to every single person, 60 + and most of the time he was kneeling at Magic’s level and at the level of all the people sitting. This way the people could ask questions and get Jeff’s undivided attention.
Why did Jeff and Magic ride in an elevator? Jeff wanted to see how Magic would react. First they went down. Ask to see Jeff’s imitation of what Magic did when she found herself a bit weightless. Then they took the elevator up. Jeff said Magic was fine. Then Jeff and Magic rode the elevator up from the 3rd floor to the 6th floor to visit. She did fine. She rode back dowe fine. It was funny to see the people’s reaction to seeing a horse coming out of an elevator. I know the cowboy will find a way to express his humor with this stunt!!!!!! Be prepared!!!!!!
One of the most beautiful scenes was walking behind as Jeff, a young girl with her hand on Magic’s back, Magic, and a resident with a walker all in step striding down the long wide hallway to the elevator.
St. Ann’s has a beautiful large meeting room with a great sound system and big TV all wired. I was worried that I would mess up because I am not technically savvy. I didn’t mess up thanks to the activity director who let me come in 2 days before to learn how to use the computer connection, the big screen TV , and the dreaded microphone.
I made the mistake of adding 100 pounds to Magic’s weight. I said she was 368 pounds and she is only 268 pounds. When Gramma Carole finds out I will have to write Magic a letter of apology and read it to her at our next Wed. night barn visit.
As we were leaving, my host gave me a piece of paper. It read the name of her daughter’s teacher and teachers’ phone number. The 2nd grade teacher wants our educational program. How quickly word spreads so that we can carry on in WindChill’s spirit.
Update to our Villa Marina visit - photos
With a very special “thank you” to Brenda Glonek from Villa Marina who was kind enough to send us these pictures, here are the photos from our visit a couple weeks back. I think she did a great job of capturing the excitement of some of the residents asa little horse horse worked her magic…
