Riverside Residents: Christina & Roxy Strong Like Popeye |
Strong to the Fin-ich: Riverside Residents Christina & Roxy by Sheryl Wilde
“Yeah, I’m strong, like Popeye!” Riverside resident Christina’s eyes lit up as she walked into Arlington Lanes Bowling Alley in the Inland Empire. “Just look at my Popeye arms!” she said as she posed, with her arms proudly held wide open, muscles flexed. “I was a little concerned about the weight of the balls,” says Solluna Baez, Mountain Shadows – Riverside. “They are really heavy, but Christina did great! She really enjoyed it. She was better than me. She wasn’t even doing it granny-style. I was like, ‘I gotta do the granny-roll, because I don’t know how to bowl.'” |
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Mountain Shadows Riverside Resident, Christina. |
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“Christina needs less support than our other residents,” adds Solluna. “She’s able to walk and talk. She’s smart.
“Christina considers all of the residents in Maverick house her sisters. She’s really helpful in caring for them. She’s always checking on them. When they’re sick, she’ll put a blanket around them to make sure they’re comfortable. She’s very caring.” |
Christina and Maverick house sister, Roxy. |
“We also took resident Roxy bowling,” continues Solluna. “And Christina kept saying, ‘I’m so glad I’m here with my sister, Roxy!
“I think of Roxy as an old soul. She has cerebral palsy. She’s non-verbal, non-ambulatory. But she loves to just be around the ladies in the house. When we get smiles out of her, it’s the best thing. She doesn’t smile that much, so when we get a smile out of her, we feel really touched.” |
Adds Solluna, “Christina always says, ‘I always watch over my sister, Roxy. I have to be there for her.’
“When Roxy had Covid, Christina was very concerned about her. When Roxy went to the hospital, Christina was constantly asking about her. She was so happy when Roxy came home to Maverick house, and that she was healthy.
“Christina went over to Roxy and caressed her head, and she asked, ‘Are you okay?’ She leaned her head on Roxy’s shoulder. It was so sweet to see that.” |
“Christina’s roommate, Ashley, passed away not long ago,” says Solluna. “It was hard on her when Ashley passed. “Ashley was blind and non-verbal. Christina would hold her hand and say, ‘Ashley, it’s Christina.’ “She was very sad when Ashley passed away. She didn’t know how to take it. She cried and felt lonely. It was really hard to see that. But the staff was there for her, and we worked with her to help her understand and grieve. “Christina sometimes still talks to Ashley. She says, ‘Ashley, I miss you. Do you remember the time we …?’
“But now Christina says, ‘Ashley is in a better place now. She was very sick. She’s not in pain anymore.’ She understands now.” |
“I’m a bowling pin. When I get knocked down, I get right up again!”
While life doesn’t always end with a strike, no matter how the pins fall, Christina remains Popeye Strong, watching over Roxy and all of her sisters in Maverick house. “I have to be there for them,” she says. And we, as the Mountain Shadows family, will always be there for Christina, Roxy, and all of our residents –
Mountain Shadows Strong – to the fin-ich. |
I’m Popeye the Sailor Man I’m Popeye the Sailor Man I’m strong to the “fin-ich”
‘Cause I eat my spinach I’m Popeye the Sailor Man
Toot-Toot! |
The Mountain Shadows Foundation – Because We CARE |
Thanks to YOUR SUPPORT, the Mountain Shadows CARE program provides recreational and social experiences to residents and participants, like Christina and Roxy, adding meaning and richness to their lives.
It’s easy for you to help us continue to provide activities like this – activities that improve the quality of our residents’ lives in fulfillment of their dreams. Here are some ways you can help ensure these crucial activities can continue for years to come: -
Make a one-time donation today by clicking on the donate button below.
- Make a monthly or annual contribution.
- Leave a Legacy Gift.
To learn more about the Mountain Shadows Foundation Legacy Society, to include us in your estate plan, or to let us know if you have already designated Mountain Shadows to receive a legacy gift, please contact Mandy Huiras, Director of Development at: [email protected], or visit our website by clicking here:
Learn More About the Mountain Shadows Foundation Legacy Society Please share
this story with your family, friends and co-workers to help grow our Mountain Shadows Family! |
Mandy Huiras
Mountain Shadows Foundation Director of Development
Contact Mandy today to learn more about the Mountain Shadows Foundation and how you can continue to make a difference in the lives of our residents:
mhuiras@mtnshadows.org |
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