Ashbrook Court teaches resident to write to fulfil his dream of writing thank you letter to his daughter

A magical moment took place at a Ashbrook Court care home after a resident learned to write so he could present a special letter to his daughter to thank her for everything she has done for him.

Joe Miechielsens presented the heartfelt letter to his daughter, Julie, at a special ceremony.

Joe had regular writing lessons, practiced diligently, and received encouragement from both the team and fellow residents.

The team at the 70-bed care home, which provides residential, nursing and dementia care, devised a comprehensive learning plan tailored to Joe’s needs helping him to learn each letter from scratch.

Daughter Julie, a lifestyle coordinator at a home in Chingford, described how she was overcome with emotion at the ceremony.

“I thought I was going there for a meeting but when I got there they took me into the cinema room and the atmosphere was buzzing.

“I was just completely overwhelmed, I can’t describe it. We watched the video showing dad learning to write and he gave me some flowers and the book that he’d been practicing in.

“It’s such a simple thing to most people and something you just take for granted that you can do. The whole day was perfect and it is something I’ll never forget.”

“This letter means the world to me and knowing the journey Dad went through to write it makes it even more special.”

Joe, who worked the land during the war and therefore never learned to write at school, expressed his wish to thank Julie for her love and support and with months of dedication he achieved his long held dream.

The room was filled with tears, smiles, and applause as Joe handed the letter to Julie, expressing his gratitude and love in his own handwriting for the first time.

Home Manager Jonathane Ribeiro said: “Joe’s journey is a testament to the power of determination and the incredible support system we have here at Ashbrook Court.

“Seeing Joe present his letter to Julie was a moment of pure joy and pride for all of us. It’s moments like these that remind us why we do what we do.

“Joe’s story has inspired everyone in our home, showing that it’s never too late to pursue a dream.”