Homecoming for an “Ageless Dreamer!”

Posted: August 17, 2007

Homecoming for an “Ageless Dreamer!”

Copywrite with permission: National University of Health Sciences.

Dr. Frank Crider has not been back to Chicago or National University of Health Sciences in Lombard, Illinois (formerly National College of Chiropractice) since he graduated in 1952. By all accounts, he shouldn’t have made it back to visit this year either. But dreams sometimes come true.

Dr. Crider had enjoyed a successful practice in Clearwater Florida for over 45 years. On a solo RV trip to New England three years ago, Frank suddenly felt ill while traveling in New Hampshire. “I pulled into a Wal-Mart and told a service person there was something wrong with me. I was soon whisked away in an ambulance.”

It was a good thing Frank stopped when he did. The hospital found he had suffered from a debilitating stroke, which left him in a wheelchair and very dependent on supplemental care. Since he had no immediate family, Frank was admitted into a local New Hampshire nursing home, where he has lived for the past three years since his stroke.

If there’s a silver lining in this story, perhaps it is that Edgewood Centre, the nursing home where Frank now lives, is one of the very best in the country. In fact, it holds a ranking of number 13 in the nation.

Although facing the challenge of severe physical limitations, Frank’s mind and attitude remain sharp and positive. As always, Frank made the best of his situation and his new life at Edgewood Centre. This is why Frank was chosen by the Ageless Dreamer Foundation to be a “dreamer” in their wish fulfillment program. Ageless Dreamers is dedicated to enhancing the lives of older adults, in part through making the wish of selected “Ageless Dreamers” come true.

Frank’s wish was to attend National’s Homecoming and have chance to visit with colleagues and old friends. The Ageless Dreamer Foundation flew Frank to Chicago, and also covered expenses for two Edgewood Centre care-givers to travel with him. NUHS covered Frank’s expenses at the event and the hotel.

Dr. Crider is still excited about the chiropractic profession. He is very interested in new research and new techniques that have surfaced in the past few years. He also has some great memories of National, when as a student he attended classes at 20 N. Ashland under the leadership of Joseph Janse. He’s no stranger to Dr. Winterstein either. Frank recounts, “Jim had a practice in Florida for a long time, and I used to send all my x-ray work to him.”

What’s this Ageless Dreamer’s advice to current students and new DCs? “Be cheerful and know that you’re in the best profession possible. You not only make sick people better, you make the feel better too.”