Thanks to Anna for this lovely news story. Ed
Billie Sullivan, aged 95, certainly knows how to grow old disgracefully and she is proud of it. She has recently been rewarded for her frolics at the NAPA (National Activity Providers Association) Gala Awards on 23rd September where she won Growing Old Disgracefully Award.
Billie, who is a resident at The Briars care home in Sandown, used to be an Olympic standard runner and the British Champion but blames the start of World War II for not fulfilling her dreams of winning an Olympic medal.
Paints the town red
She prides herself on keeping fit and happily tells people that she does the splits and that she paints the town red. She frequently tells the staff at the care home that she had been out dancing and can often be seen dancing and singing down the corridors with staff and other residents.
Her favourite saying is “maybe it’s because I’m a Londoner” and then she promptly bursts into song.
From belly dancing to the Merengue
to During the recent National Care Home Open Day in June, Billie was on her feet the whole day, taking part in belly dancing, singing in a duet with the singer and generally having a ball with all the staff.
She particularly enjoyed dancing the Merengue with one of the kitchen staff and the housekeeper. Billie needed a little rest in between and the staff managed to encourage her to sit down for a little while, whilst she had her face painted.
Billie “knows how to make the most of every day”
Billie is always the life and soul of any party and quite often bemused visitors to The Briars can find themselves joining Billie in the singing or having a little dance with her. Despite being active beyond her age, Billie enjoys also the quieter moments when she can be found in the garden picking herself a bunch of flowers.
Fiona O’Regan, Home Manager at The Briars said:
“I think Billy is amazing and knows how to make the most of every day and there is no disgrace in that.”
Billie mused on the reasons why she was awarded this special prize with her favourite phrase:
“Maybe it’s because I am a Londoner.”
For more information about the Briars care home, rated as “Outstanding” for caring by Care Quality Commission, please visit www.greensleeves.org.uk.
