Former Truck Driver`s Dream Fulfilled

Cybergal · Apr 29, 2008

Former Truck Driver`s Dream Fulfilled
4/29/08

KFYR-TV, ND

Driving around in a semi isn`t everyone`s dream, but for Duane Wanner of Dickinson, it was part of a wish come true.

Four years ago Duane, who had been driving semi for nearly 40 years, was on one of his truck runs when he had a stroke.

"They found him in his truck," says Sheila Wanner, Duane`s wife. "They said he must have been there a day and a half and no one knew he was there. A policeman came by and found him."

The stroke caused him to lose his ability to speak and paralyzed the right side of his body. He was moved into a St. Luke`s Nursing Home for long-term care. But it was obvious that Duane still missed driving his rig, so one of caretakers decided to do something special for him. She nominated him for the Long Term Care Association`s Cherished Hopes program, which grants wishes to long term residents.

"I nominated Duane, because every time he would talk about his truck, there was that big smile on his face," shares Joyce.

Granting the wish was important to Duane and his wife, as well as the many friends and family members who came to support him on his special day.

"I know it means an awful lot to get back in there. He knows he`ll never drive again," says Sheila. "It`s a big dream of his."

Fisher Industries supplied the semi and upgraded its transport safety so Duane could ride in it.

"Sometimes the gift does as much for the giver as it does for the recipient," Frank Koppinger of Fisher Industries says.

Duane was the first St. Luke`s resident to ever receive a cherished hope. The semi ride included a stop at Lincoln Elementary and in front of St. Luke`s Nursing Home and then concluded with a short trip down the Enchanted Highway.
http://www.kfyrtv.com/News_Stories.asp?news=18014
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Sportster2000 · May 1, 2008

That has to be one of the nicest things that I have heard about in a very long time. Kind of reminds me of my grandpa. When he was in a nursing home me and mom would go and pick him up in his old car and just drive around. He really enjoyed it. Seeing the old fimilar places and just getting out of the nursing home.

norearview · May 1, 2008

That was great and reminds me of the "Teddy Bear".

Glad it was possibly he could do this.

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