Judy Kramer
County Reporter
Chris Carr has Huntington’s Disease that causes movement, cognitive and psychiatric disorders. There is no cure for the disease, and she is now a resident of Good Samaritan Care Center in Cole Camp where a caring staff member has helped make Carr’s dream of riding a Honda Trike come true.
“I noticed that Chris was withdrawing more and didn’t take part in many activities,” said Angie Brandes, Activities Director of the care center. “I wanted to do something for her and remembered that a couple of years ago she told me that she wished she could ride a Honda Trike again. She had enjoyed riding her own Honda Trike for several years before signs of Huntington's disease caused her to give it up, so I decided to make her dream happen.”
A call to Mac Vorce led to a connection with Scott Ross, President of Guardians of the Children Show-Me Midwest, a non-profit organization of bikers who are dedicated to helping abused children take back their lives. Ross and other members of his crew promised to do something for Carr and surprised her with a motorcycle rally in her honor on August 4, at 10:30 AM. That morning Carr was escorted out to the care center driveway where other residents and staff were waiting to cheer her on. She rode on the back of a Honda Trike escorted by other bikers while the song “Born to be Wild” played.
“The Guardians of the Children brought a lot of gifts for Chris,” said Brandes. “She received a jean jacket vest with her biker’s name written on it. She also got a picture frame containing a photo of the Guardians’ Chapter members, and she was made an honorary member of the chapter for life. She was given a hug bear that was passed around the chapter to members who each gave it a hug. She was told that anytime she is depressed, she can give that bear a hug.”
Brandes said the ceremony was very emotional and there was hardly a dry eye in the group. The driver of the motorcycle that Carr rode on said that riding was a little lighter with her behind him.
“It is so heartening to know that with only one phone call people will be there to help,” said Brandes. “It is such an honor to be a part of making her wish come true. Sometimes we forget that our residents have dreams. We do day-to-day care, but many of our staff go the extra mile and try to fulfill all aspects of their needs.
Carr was born and raised in Kansas and is the mother of three daughters. She went to cosmetology school and became a hair technician, eventually owning her own hair Salon called Hair It Is. She loved country music and line dancing, and her favorite ride was on her Honda Trike. However, she had to give all of this up when she began showing signs of Huntington's disease at age 45. Carr’s aunt, Carla Summers, was working at a care center in Warsaw when she decided to move Carr from Kansas to live with her. When she was no longer able to meet all her needs at home, she placed her in Good Samaritan Care Center, and at the same time she was offered a job there as a Restorative Aide. Summers now takes care of Carr at the care center. Summers and her husband Doug also rode in the biker ceremony August 4 on their Harley Davidson. Summers reported that Huntington’s Disease runs in the family and some members began getting symptoms in their 30s.
“Being able to work with Chris at her care center has been a good thing,” said Summers. “When COVID came, I was able to be with her as a staff member. When she was younger, she was willing to help anyone who needed it, and when I needed help, she was my rock. I am glad to take care of her now.”
According to www.mayoclinic.org Huntington’s Disease is a rare, inherited disease that causes the progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain. Symptoms of the disease can develop at any time, but they usually first appear when people are in their 30s or 40s. Medications are available to help manage the symptoms of Huntington's disease, but treatments can't prevent the physical, mental, and behavioral decline associated with the condition.
