Grandmother virtually attends wedding
Announcement posted by Feros Care 11 Apr 2016
Digital hearts are pumping across the a Indian ocean and beyond after Feros Care enabled one of its residents, Alma Bilson to attend her grandson’s wedding in the UK without leaving her home in Australia.
Technology ensured 89 year old Alma had a front row seat at Trent and Helen’s wedding. She was able to watch the bride walk down the aisle and could hear the nuptials much more clearly than most of the guests in the room.
“They were just right there!” exclaimed Alma with her hands on her checks more in disbelief than anything else.
There wasn’t a dry eye in the house – even in the Feros Village Wommin Bay living room. “It was like we were there, we all felt the same emotions as we would if we were sitting in the Hall in Whitney (Southern England)”.
“I had sweaty palms when the bride was late and we were all wondering where she was. Trent must have been worried too – I saw him wipe his palms on his suit pants. Lucky his mother didn’t see!”
Through the proceeding Alma and her guests were commenting on the clothes people were wearing – and more importantly the looks of love the bride and groom were giving each other. “Oh look at his face; oh gee”.
Alma was blowing kisses to everyone and got to meet the Bride’s parents for the first time via the iPad. She was even in the family portraits – they held up a photo of her on the tablet when the wedding shots were being taken to ensure she would be in all the photos.
Alma said “It was an overwhelming experience. I was worried before-hand that it may not work. I wasn’t feeling up to making the big trip but I didn’t want to miss out on the wedding. Family is so important to me and all my grandchildren are so special.
Time zone differences meant an 11pm start to the ceremony, and Alma was joined in wedding celebration with another grandson (Chris) her best friend, and staff from Feros Village. Just like attending in person, everyone dressed up for the occasion.
Feros Village chef Lynn made a Tim Tam cake – a very Australian cake that was also at the actual wedding, and everyone drank champagne and toasted the bride and groom.
“One of the Feros ladies, Cate, even bought me a beautiful corsage out of her own money. It was such a beautiful time. I can’t believe the effort everyone went to to ensure I wouldn’t miss out,” smiled Alma with tears in her eyes. “I’m just so grateful to have this un-real experience!”
Shelly Fletcher, the technical support that made this happen at Feros Care said “I love how the simple application of technology can be just so powerful. It connected grandmother to grandson on the other side of the world. We just love to use simple things to make a massive difference in the lives of our residents”.
A final comment from Alma (at midnight after the celebrations were finished) “I think I might sleep in tomorrow, and I might have a sore head from all this champagne!”
Technology ensured 89 year old Alma had a front row seat at Trent and Helen’s wedding. She was able to watch the bride walk down the aisle and could hear the nuptials much more clearly than most of the guests in the room.
“They were just right there!” exclaimed Alma with her hands on her checks more in disbelief than anything else.
There wasn’t a dry eye in the house – even in the Feros Village Wommin Bay living room. “It was like we were there, we all felt the same emotions as we would if we were sitting in the Hall in Whitney (Southern England)”.
“I had sweaty palms when the bride was late and we were all wondering where she was. Trent must have been worried too – I saw him wipe his palms on his suit pants. Lucky his mother didn’t see!”
Through the proceeding Alma and her guests were commenting on the clothes people were wearing – and more importantly the looks of love the bride and groom were giving each other. “Oh look at his face; oh gee”.
Alma was blowing kisses to everyone and got to meet the Bride’s parents for the first time via the iPad. She was even in the family portraits – they held up a photo of her on the tablet when the wedding shots were being taken to ensure she would be in all the photos.
Alma said “It was an overwhelming experience. I was worried before-hand that it may not work. I wasn’t feeling up to making the big trip but I didn’t want to miss out on the wedding. Family is so important to me and all my grandchildren are so special.
Time zone differences meant an 11pm start to the ceremony, and Alma was joined in wedding celebration with another grandson (Chris) her best friend, and staff from Feros Village. Just like attending in person, everyone dressed up for the occasion.
Feros Village chef Lynn made a Tim Tam cake – a very Australian cake that was also at the actual wedding, and everyone drank champagne and toasted the bride and groom.
“One of the Feros ladies, Cate, even bought me a beautiful corsage out of her own money. It was such a beautiful time. I can’t believe the effort everyone went to to ensure I wouldn’t miss out,” smiled Alma with tears in her eyes. “I’m just so grateful to have this un-real experience!”
Shelly Fletcher, the technical support that made this happen at Feros Care said “I love how the simple application of technology can be just so powerful. It connected grandmother to grandson on the other side of the world. We just love to use simple things to make a massive difference in the lives of our residents”.
A final comment from Alma (at midnight after the celebrations were finished) “I think I might sleep in tomorrow, and I might have a sore head from all this champagne!”