Friday, June 23, 2017
“There are no words to describe the feelings that I get from an audience when I perform on stage. It is heaven on earth to me. Without the people who follow me, I would not have this life.” - Irish country and folk singer Daniel O’Donnell
Known for his gentle personality, clean-cut image, engaging stage presence and close relationship with his fans, one of Daniel O’Donnell’s most ardent fans came close to missing his recent concert in Metro Detroit.
“My husband and I began listening to Daniel’s music at least 20 years ago on PBS,” said Audrey Cassabon, 81, of Southfield. “He dresses well, sings songs of my generation and always says nice things about his mom, Julia. Most people in the audience are older women like me. After Lewis passed away, listening to Daniel helped lift me out of my grief.”
In and out of the hospital with serious health conditions during the past few years, Audrey was sure she’d have to miss attending her favorite performer’s concert, which brought her down. Following a lengthy inpatient treatment for severe abdominal pain from infected diverticula, she was working to regain her strength and independence on the inpatient rehabilitation unit at Beaumont Hospital, Farmington Hills.
Audrey’s son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Linda Wrobleski, of Farmington Hills, wanted to take their mom to the concert because feeling joy can be powerful medicine. So, the couple approached Audrey’s health care team to ask if they could add concert attendance into her official rehab work since this had been an important part of Audrey’s life prior to her illness.
Christopher Luring, D.O., Audrey’s physical medicine and rehabilitation physician, was willing to consider the family’s request.
Dr. Luring and Inpatient Rehab Nurse Manager Linda Simons, RN, collaborated on a strategy that allowed the health care team to plan this therapeutic outing. It became part of Audrey’s treatment plan that includes social integration into the community.
Audrey was showered with well wishes by Nurse Mary Abay and Nurse Assistant Tina Williams before attending the concert at the Dearborn Center for the Performing Arts. |
To keep the patient safe, Audrey’s family was included in the weekly care conference with her health care team, which provided them an opportunity to learn how to move her safely and what symptoms would mean an immediate return to the hospital.
“Thank God they’re letting me go to see Daniel perform,” Audrey said. “The people here at Beaumont, Farmington Hills are so kind, and they know what they’re doing. It’s the only hospital I’ll go to. I’ve been here so often that they all recognize me by name.”
“It’s true,” said Audrey’s daughter-in-law Linda. “When we all arrived for the care conference, I recall at least four staff members greeting us all by name. We feel so welcome here.”
The admiration is mutual
“Every time I round on my unit, I see Audrey and she looks fabulous,” said Nurse Manager Simons. “Sure, she has medical problems, in fact, lots of them. But, she doesn’t let that get her down. Every night, she puts curlers in her hair. Every morning, she fixes her hair, applies full makeup and dresses in a coordinated outfit. Then, she’s ready to start her day. Looking good seems to help Audrey to feel better. She’s an inspiration not only to my staff and me, but also to our other patients.”
On the day of the concert, Beaumont staff presented Audrey with a framed poster of the current concert tour of Daniel O’Donnell. She loved their thoughtfulness and held it like a valuable object. After pictures were taken, Audrey went on an approved four-hour furlough from her inpatient status to see her hero sing the songs that sent her spirit soaring. After the concert, the family personally interacted with the international superstar whose record sales exceed more than 10 million.
“Seeing Daniel perform in person lit up my life more than I can say,” said Audrey. “I also have seen him sing in Las Vegas and at an appearance at Walmart on the eastside. Previously, I met Daniel when I served as a phone volunteer during WTVS pledge drives when his concerts were aired to raise support for public television.”
Dr. Luring wants his patients to have hope, so he offers personal options for the therapeutic plan of care, which can include activities of social integration into the community. “Audrey’s medical issues have altered her life, but they have not dampened her spirit. Finding a safe way to allow Audrey to go to the concert was giving her back an important, happy part of her life. This supported her emotionally. And, she gained experience using her wheelchair in the community and to practice standing when being transferred from the car to the wheelchair.”
And the best part of all - Audrey is now completing her recovery living independently in her own home, secure in the knowledge that her family, her Beaumont health care team and her hero, Daniel O’Donnell, are all rooting for her.
