Virtual surprise birthday party for 88-year-old stroke patient brings smiles

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we live in many ways, including how we celebrate and gather with our loved ones. That’s why therapeutic recreation specialist Breanne Carr and social worker Marcie Langs didn’t want to see a birthday celebration for a special inpatient go unnoticed.

Breanne and Marcie, both who work in St. Joseph’s Stroke Rehabilitation Program, decided to help organize a virtual surprise birthday party on Dec. 4 for stroke inpatient John Manning.

With the help of John’s family, a day full of surprises was planned to help make his 88 birthday extra special.

“It was a wonderful surprise for John,” says therapeutic recreation specialist Breanne Carr. “I began a therapy session with him – little did he know the session would turn into a special birthday party just for him.”

The stroke unit dining room on the fourth floor of Parkwood Institute was filled with birthday streamers, decorations and signs. The highlight of the celebration was a special visitor - his daughter Megan, who surprised her dad with a visit and his favourite coconut tarts. John’s entire care team was present to wish him well and watch a virtual birthday tribute.

One of John’s daughters had collected video messages from family and friends from all over the world, including friends from Africa and the United States. The video included messages of love, laughter, past memories and even a beautiful guitar serenade.

To top it all off, his family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren held up a birthday sign and waved to him from the parking lot of Parkwood Institute. The sign was created out of a world map.

When asked why a world map was used for the sign, his family responded with, “because we simply think the world of him.”