EveryStep’s Mount Pleasant hospice team has proven time and again that there is nothing they won’t try to do for their patients. The requests come in all shapes and sizes-final wishes, simple comforts, or a reminder of days gone by. Earlier this week, the team came together to create an amazing day for a patient and friend.
“Mike has been a biker his whole life. Over the past 20+ years, we have all went on multiple rides together, including trips out of town that included camping,” says Kim Endecott, Hospice Team Director for EveryStep’s Mount Pleasant team, “Mike loves the wind and the sound of a great exhaust on a Harley. He loves the comradery of the biker family.”
When Mike’s hospice care team asked him if there was anything special they could do for him, he had two requests. “He told (them) that he wanted to go on a ride. He also wanted some good fried chicken,” Kim says.
Working with friends in the community, the Mount Pleasant team found a motorcycle with a sidecar to allow Mike to hit the road. Then came the menu,
“Gwen, our Volunteer Coordinator, knew the Montrose Sandbar staff and asked if they would be willing to cook chicken and they jumped all over it. Normally they only serve chicken on Wednesdays, but they opened the kitchen on Tuesday to cook this meal for Mike,” Kim says, “They even went out of their way down to Keokuk to get Mike an amazing piece of pie!”
Everything was set for the big day, but unfortunately Mike said he wasn’t feeling well enough for a ride. Kim says she and the staff discussed their next steps and decided they couldn’t cancel on Mike. “We talked it over and we decided to go visit anyway and we are so thankful we did. Two of Mike Fry’s closest friends - Geno and Murdock - followed us in a car to be a part of Mike’s special day.”
And what a special day it turned out to be.
“We sat outside and talked shop, looked at pictures of our biker adventures-including one of Mike dancing it up-and just felt the wind on our skin. When Mike was ready to go inside to eat and rest, we all said our goodbyes and Mike sat on the patio and listened to the roar of our motorcycles head down the road.”
Carrie Green with the Mount Pleasant office summed it up in a thank you to all involved, writing in part:
I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you to everyone who helped make today so special for Mike ... Today's visit gave him the opportunity to talk motorcycles, reminisce, take pictures, and enjoy time with people who care deeply about him ... Today was a wonderful reminder of what an amazing team and community we have. Seeing everyone come together to honor Mike and make this wish come true was truly heartwarming. It is moments like these that remind us why we do what we do and how much of a difference compassion and teamwork can make.
Thank you all for your generosity, dedication, and caring hearts. It was an honor to witness this special day.
