WRITING A NEW CHAPTER
Learn How John is Facing the Future With a New Purpose
At 77, John has spent a lifetime telling stories, from stopping an ice cream thief to reeling in “the big one” on a fishing trip. Now, however, he’s writing a new chapter focused on doing the things he loves while he still can.
“John is an amazing man, and once you get him going, he will regale you with stories about his love for fishing, golf carts, the Cubs, the many places he’s worked over his lifetime, and, most importantly, his family,” shared Lisa Amschl, Indiana program manager.
John, a consumer in our Indiana program since April 2022, is facing serious medical issues. Recently, he spent a significant amount of time in the hospital, forcing him to miss out on activities he had eagerly anticipated.
One of those activities was a trip to see the Gary RailCats baseball team. An avid baseball fan, John laid out his RailCats shirt and hat weeks ahead of time, telling everyone he met he was going to the game. On the morning of the game, John woke up struggling to breathe and was rushed to the emergency room.
“He sat in his hospital bed with silent crocodile tears, knowing he would miss the game,” Lisa said.
In that moment, John made a decision: to truly live and focus on the things that bring him joy. John made a decision to focus on the things that bring him joy. He told his program manager that there would be no more doctor visits or hospital stays. With encouragement from his support staff and his large, loving family—a family that includes 34 grandnieces and grandnephews—John’s bucket list began to take shape. It was filled with activities that reflected his love of sports and taste for excitement.
John is also under the care of Dunes Hospice. When they learned about
his wish to attend an Indianapolis Colts football game, they jumped into action, purchasing tickets on the 50-yard line at Lucas Oil Stadium and arranging a limousine for John and his staff from Sertoma Star to get to the game.
“The seats were right in the middle,” John recalls excitedly.
One of the highlights of his summer was a trip to Wrigley Field, where he saw his beloved Chicago Cubs play live for the first time. “The Cubs game was better because they won,” he said. “On the very first pitch, the first baseman hit it out of the park for a home run!”
Other items on John’s list include visiting a pool hall because he’s
a “pool shark,” playing golf to practice his 200-yard drive, and attending more of the famous Labor Day Parades in Lowell, Indiana. He loves these parades for the “classic cars, monster trucks, and fireworks.” He also enjoys going on “joy rides” with his friend Derrick and teaching the staff to play card games like
Rook and Solitaire.
“John is one of my favorite people. He is truly an inspiration,” Lisa shared, her words reflecting the deep impact he has on everyone around him.
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