Ageless Dreamer® - Ride of a Lifetime

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A dream fulfilled: Ride of a lifetime provided for Durham Spruce Wood resident

DURHAM — For the residents of The Inn at Spruce Wood, an 89-year-old man on a motorcycle was proof that you're never too old to dream.

Sheldon Prescott, who recently turned 89, lives at the independent and assisted living facility on Worthen Road with his wife, Phyllis. They both enjoyed the ride of a lifetime Saturday thanks to the efforts of staff, volunteers, consultants and the Ageless Dreamer organization.

Organizers explained Ageless Dreamers is "like Make-A-Wish for grownups." According to founder Laurie Widmark, the program encourages the elderly to "dream out loud" and fulfill their untapped dreams.

"It makes them realize we appreciate their wisdom, knowledge, talents," she said.

Members of AgeQuest, an elder care consulting firm, discovered Prescott desired to ride a motorcycle again when they casually asked him recently what kind of wish he would want to see fulfilled.

"He just got this glint in his eye and said he'd love to get on a motorcycle again," said Carol Sanderson, an AgeQuest resource manager.

Sanderson and AgeQuest care manager Nancy Euchner then got to work, submitting the request to Ageless Dreamer. The company then arranged for a motorcycle with a sidecar to arrive at the assisted living facility and give Prescott a ride around town.

The plan did not go off without a hitch, however. Widmark said the motorcyclist they originally arranged for had to cancel and she had to send out a "blast e-mail" to find a replacement.

That is where Ron Roberts, of Stratham, and his son, Jared, came in. They heard about the need through a friend and offered up their 1941 Indian Chief motorcycle for the event.

"It's great. I didn't even know the foundation existed," Ron Roberts said. "You're never too old to dream, that's for sure."

Sheldon Prescott actually rode in the sidecar of David Hills' 1966 BMW motorcycle, while in a surprise move, his wife Phyllis rode with Roberts.

"Oh my, I could never get her on one of mine," Sheldon said.

Phyllis said she used to ride with Sheldon, but, "he used to go over curbings just to make things interesting."

As other members of the home cheered the husband and wife on with noisemakers and party favors, Sheldon made his way from a wheelchair to the sidecar. Once inside, he pumped his fists, said, "This is gonna be something," and gave a beaming smile before riding off.

"Just to see him go on it is just amazing," said Abbey Marceau, the marketing director for The Inn at Spruce Wood. She explained Sheldon previously had to overcome some health issues, adding it was nice to "mix it up" for someone who normally lives a life of routine.

She described Sheldon as "a go-getter," having been a building inspector for Durham for 30 years.

Home residents Jack and Jane Jette and Roland Bellavance watched with glee as their friend exited the parking lot.

"This was very nice. It was definitely a highlight for him," said Bellavance.

"And he didn't know anything about it. That's why it was so interesting," said Jane Jette.

The trio then joked about what wishes they would like to fulfill — perhaps some hang gliding or skydiving.

When they returned, Sheldon and Phyllis Prescott announced they enjoyed the ride.

"I thought it was quite an interesting experience," said Phyllis. "And I was laughing the whole time but I was holding on for dear life."

Sheldon was more interested in examining Roberts' Indian Chief, noting its similarities to some German bikes he "liberated" during World War II.

"What a piece of machinery," he said, adding, "I had a lot of fun with (the German bikes) for about two months."

He then took the driver's seat, examined the aspects of the bike and posed for more pictures.

"Sensational," he said. "You have to do it to really appreciate it."