When Greg Christensen played a gig at Levin Home for War Veterans recently it was the first time David Clark had seen him in more than three decades.
Greg is the former front man of the band Creation, which had chart-topping hits Carolina and Tell Laura I Love Her in the early 1970s.
David, now a resident at Levin Home for War Veterans, used to manage a bar in Wellington where Creation played frequent gigs in its heyday.
“I just called him up and asked if he would play,” David says of organising the concert which marked World Stroke Day on 29 October.
David had a stroke 11 years ago and has been in a wheelchair since. He now sits on the committee of the Levin Stroke Club, and was previously involved in the Otaki Stroke Club.
More than 60 members of the public and Levin Home for War Veterans residents gathered in the home’s Veterans Arms lounge to hear Greg play hits by Elvis, John Denver, Engelbert Humperdinck, and Creation.
Enliven General Manager Nicola Turner says residents of Enliven homes are encouraged to continue with their hobbies and interests and to maintain community connections when they move into an Enliven home.
“It’s a really important part of our philosophy and this is a really great example of a resident who is supported to continue with his community involvement. It’s wonderful that Levin Home, his home, was able to accommodate this amazing event.
“Just because you move into a rest home doesn’t mean you have to change your lifestyle and interests, it’s just your address that changes!” says Nicola.
Meanwhile, David is organising a second fundraising gig for Greg to play at in Otaki in March next year.
Levin Home for War Veterans offers rest home, hospital and dementia care, as well as health recovery and short-term respite care. To learn more about the home, which is located on Prouse Street call 06 366 0052.
