Dream Foundation to Fulfill Dying McMinnville Woman’s Final Dream for Horse Drawn Carriage Ride on 98th Birthday » Dream Foundation

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Dream Foundation to Fulfill Dying McMinnville Woman’s Final Dream for Horse Drawn Carriage Ride on 98th Birthday

Dream Foundation – the only national dream-granting organization for adults and their families suffering life-threatening illness – will fulfill hospice patient Gladys Hebenstreit’s birthday dream of riding through town in a horse drawn carriage.

Hebenstreit’s dream will take place at Hotel Oregon, 310 NE Evans St., McMinneville from 1-3 p.m., Sunday, April 19th, which will be her 98th birthday. Hebenstreit’s hospice caregivers and physician will be accompanying her on the carriage ride. Press is invited to attend.

Hebenstreit, who has a life expectancy of eight weeks, came on to hospice service in May 2014 with a diagnosis of congestive heart failure. Her husband passed away two months later.

According to Frances Kincaid, Hebenstreit’s Gentiva Hospice social worker, although “she really struggled with his death and continues to grieve her loss,” she decided that to celebrate her next birthday she’d want to do something special.

“Gladys wants to ride in a wagon pulled by white horses. She added that she wants to have all her caregivers, hospice team and her doctor ride with her. She even added that she should have a crown to wear,” Kincaid continues. “Gladys is a child of the Depression and doesn’t ask for much. I believe the main impetus for this dream—other than kicking up her heels one last time—is her desire to thank the team of people that have provided her care and become her friends.”

According to Dream Foundation Executive Director Kisa Heyer, “Some of our most poignant dreams are often our most simple. We are privileged to serve Gladys’ dream on her special day and look forward to celebrating alongside her.”

Hebenstreit and her friends will enjoy a birthday lunch at Hotel Oregon after the carriage ride.

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