Cuyahoga Falls — Disney World is touted as “the place where dreams come true.” One local father hopes a visit there will shift his family’s focus from doctors and diagnoses to memory-making fun.
Bill Coughlin, 33, has stage four metastatic colon cancer. His wife, Sarah, says a customer at work told her about the Dream Foundation, a nonprofit company based in California which grants the wishes of adults facing life-threatening illnesses.
“We’re close and she knows the battle we’ve been going through since Bill was diagnosed.” Sarah says. “Life is an emotional roller coaster around here. I told her, ‘I wish there was something he could have to look forward to when he goes for treatment.’ I’m trying so hard to keep his spirits up.” Her friend urged her to apply for a Dream Foundation wish.
Dream Foundation’s Flower Empower Blooms Brightly as Homegrown Community Outreach
Messages of compassion presented through colorful floral bouquets and bright smiles are among the many ways that a distinctive Dream Foundation program called Flower Empower lets locals know that the community cares.
Since 1994, a group of volunteers has gathered each Saturday at the downtown Santa Barbara Farmers Market, 232 Anacapa St., to skillfully prepare an average of 75 to 100 bouquets using donated flowers from local growers.
Country music is famous for bringing its fans comfort and old friends, no matter where they are. For those facing terminal illness, the music can be particularly uplifting – helping provide much needed happiness during the most painful times. Helen is a lifelong country fan; Luke Bryan’s music her daily dose of joy. Through good times and bad, his music has positively impacted her days. Now, at this especially difficult turning point, it’s even more important. A few moments in person with her favorite artist would mean the world to this devoted fan. “There’s not a song I don’t know,” she writes. “My daughter plays him every day just so I can listen. They’ve said I have six months or less. I’m a tough old gal. I hope to beat the odds, but to meet him with my loved ones around me is what will bring my life to a happy ending.”
Amid the struggles of her terminal prognosis, Helen has a special place she can go to find happiness: the world of any Denzel Washington film. She’s seen every movie (multiple times), and has always tried to catch every release its first day in theaters. She can talk extensively about every role he’s ever played. Until she is physically incapable, Helen will continue to line up on opening day to watch her idol’s latest work. Her admiration of Washington’s talent has become her final dream. “He has always been my favorite actor,” Helen writes. “It would mean so much to me to meet and talk to him.”
Foundation making dreams come true for those facing death
Everyone’s heard of Make-A-Wish Foundation, but I had never heard of the Dream Foundation, which makes dying wishes come true for adults 18 and older.
Then I met two women Thursday whose dreams were to come to Las Vegas, probably for the last time.
One was a mother of three who made a Las Vegas trip her dream so that she could see her children swim with the dolphins at The Mirage. Mindee Paulsen, 37, of Salt Lake City crafted a wish that would make her children happy.
