Forget-Me-Not story

[Bob Bement]

I got a call from a gal that was an activity director in a nursing home in Gresham, Or. A mutual friend had dropped my name. I was in Vale, Or about 300 miles away. She explained that she had a program called Forget-Me-Not, that tried to fulfill residence wishes. Francis Hoopes was one of her people with a wish to go for another airplane ride. You see Francis had been a pilot in his younger days, before his stroke that had left his right side parallized. He explained to me that he had had a Piper tripacer. I flew to Troutdale and gave Francis his ride, I even let him put his good left hand on the yoke and fly the plane. We flew up the Columbia river to Cascade Locks, made a landing and then flew back to TTD. I have never seen a man more thankful and happier that he was that day. I had a wonderful feeling just watching him fly my airplane and the look on his face. If you get a chance give one of these rides. Have any of you ever gotten the chance by the way? (attachment)

 

[deafsound]

If you get a chance give one of these rides. Have any of you ever gotten the chance by the way? (attachment)

I would do that any time.

 

[gkainz]

Bob, that's great! Thanks for sharing!

Edit:I just googled for the program, and I didn't get many hits to it - only one reference to an Illinois program associated with the Alzheimers Illinois chapter. Do you have additional contact info?

2nd edit: ok, added "alzheimer" to "forget me not" on google search and found some links. Looks like it's by region or state.

 

[Dave Krall CFII]

There's non-flying pilots all over the place to give rides to. They appreciate getting airborne and at the controls as much or more than I did when their types gave me early flights.

 

[Frank Browne]

Great story Bob. Good on ya!

 

[Bob Bement]

Bob, that's great! Thanks for sharing!

Edit:I just googled for the program, and I didn't get many hits to it - only one reference to an Illinois program associated with the Alzheimers Illinois chapter. Do you have additional contact info?

2nd edit: ok, added "alzheimer" to "forget me not" on google search and found some links. Looks like it's by region or state.

Greg, I think it is a local program started right here in the Portland Or. area. However it is branching out as I understand it. It is a great program and one I was happy to be associated with. Bob

 

[Bob Bement]

Bob, that's great! Thanks for sharing!

Edit:I just googled for the program, and I didn't get many hits to it - only one reference to an Illinois program associated with the Alzheimers Illinois chapter. Do you have additional contact info?

2nd edit: ok, added "alzheimer" to "forget me not" on google search and found some links. Looks like it's by region or state.

Greg, I think this program started in the Portland Or. area. I understand it is spreading in the Northwest. It is a great program and one I was happy to be involved with. Try the " Oregon Health Care Foundation".

 

[Michael]

Bob, i thought you were in OR. That article mentioned Idaho? BTW i will be in the Bend OR area later this month..

 

[Bob Bement]

Michael, You are right, I am from Vale Or. I don't know where they came up with Idaho. I think someone told them Vale was close to the Idaho boarder, and they got confused. I will be In Vale form the 15th on in March. How are you traveling? If you can stop by, I will show you the sights. Not many in our little town, I can show you both of them. Ha,Ha. Bob

 

[Michael]

Bob, I will be flying in the 17th and staying untill the 20th i believe. Looks like Redmond Airport. Let me know what kind of plans you have going on that weekend....but please leave your camcorder home this time.

 

[Missa]

I've read a post like this before, I'm not sure if it was here or when I was still reading the red board or where....

Anyway, it's great to take someone flying who REALLY wants to go, wether it's an old pilot who's wings have been cliped by age or ailments or a young eagle who's wings are just starting to sprout.

Missa

 

[Rudy]

I would really enjoy doing something like this for a non-flying pilot.

I wish there were some way to find people who were interested, I am sure a chance will come up though!

Great thing to do,

 

[Frank Browne]

I would really enjoy doing something like this for a non-flying pilot.

I wish there were some way to find people who were interested, I am sure a chance will come up though!

Great thing to do,

This is why I like this community so much.

 

[terzap]

Good job, Bob. I hope I'm in a postion one day to do that for others. Good on you!

terry

 

[wsuffa]

I would really enjoy doing something like this for a non-flying pilot.

I wish there were some way to find people who were interested, I am sure a chance will come up though!

Great thing to do,

I agree. Now all we need is an organization to coordinate.

 

[Rudy]

I agree. Now all we need is an organization to coordinate.

I would help setting something like that up anyway I could,

Does anyone have any ideas on how to start?

 

[Missa]

I would help setting something like that up anyway I could,

Does anyone have any ideas on how to start?

Contact local nursing homes or hospice (but those in that program may be too sick to be able to make a flight)? Join a local chapter of EAA or similar org, they may have ideas and may have non flying members most old pilots stay active in the pilot organizations. In my 99's chapter there are several older pilots who no longer fly, when we do fly outs we organize rides for our nonflying members so they can participate too.

Missa

 

[gkainz]

What are your thoughts on possible unpredictable behavior in the cockpit that could interfere with the controls by your passenger? I'm not trying be argumentative, just thinking thru all the possibilities...

 

[Rudy]

Contact local nursing homes or hospice (but those in that program may be too sick to be able to make a flight)? Join a local chapter of EAA or similar org, they may have ideas and may have non flying members most old pilots stay active in the pilot organizations. In my 99's chapter there are several older pilots who no longer fly, when we do fly outs we organize rides for our nonflying members so they can participate too.

Missa

Great ideas Missa,

I will look into all of them
Thanks,