Frank King, longtime participant of Breton Ability Centre, had his dream of seeing Shania Twain live in concert finally come true thanks to the support of employees, donors and friends of Breton Ability Centre.
Frank has been a super fan of Shania Twain for as long as he can remember, loving every song she sings, but if he had to pick one favorite it would be “Man! I feel like a woman”.
After hearing that the hit country star was coming to the Maritimes, Frank approached Kaitlin Munroe, Behaviourist and Birchdale Unit Coordinator at Breton Ability Centre, about attending the concert. Knowing Frank’s love for the singer, Kaitlin knew she had to take Frank on his first concert experience.
Kaitlin first tried to get tickets for the Halifax concert when they went on sale, however, tickets sold out before she was able to purchase them. Hearing the bad news broke Frank’s heart but Kaitlin was determined to keep trying.
Coincidentally, a friend who used to work at Breton Ability Centre, aware of Frank’s love for Shania, offered to sell her tickets to the Moncton show and transfer the hotel reservation to Kaitlin. When Frank heard that Kaitlin finally managed to get tickets, he thought it was a prank.
“When it finally sunk in that it was really happening, you couldn’t wipe the smile off Frank’s face. His excitement was contagious as he eagerly looked forward to the concert, fish and chips, and sleeping in a big hotel bed,” says Kaitlin Munroe, Behaviourist and Birchdale Unit Coordinator at Breton Ability Centre.
When asked about his feelings, Frank expressed how he had been eagerly counting down the days with Kaitlin. He was thrilled to go shopping for a new outfit and cowboy hat for the concert so that he could be a real cowboy.
“I wanted to make Frank feel included in this incredible experience. At the age of 55, this would be Frank’s first concert. It made me reflect on how important community inclusion is and how often people take everyday activities for granted,” says Kaitlin.
In anticipation of the trip, Frank saved money from every paycheck to pay for his own ticket and to have spending money for souvenirs. Kaitlin approached the Breton Ability Centre Charitable Foundation regarding the remaining expenses and they were generously covered thanks to the support of donors.
The concert day arrived, and Frank’s reaction stole the show. The people around him were kind, and Frank even made some new friends. Kaitlin’s favorite part of the concert was witnessing Frank’s sheer happiness and being able to share in that moment. She knew it was an experience that would forever be etched in their memories.
“At Breton Ability Centre, we believe in the power of person-directed opportunities to transform lives,” says Harman Singh, CEO, Breton Ability Centre. “Frank’s story is a testament to the joy and fulfillment that arise when individuals are given the chance to pursue their dreams, like attending their first concert. By fostering a supportive environment and embracing individual passions, we empower our participants to live truly fulfilled lives,” says Singh.
As the concert ended and they made their way back home, Frank’s smile remained indelible. Breton Ability Centre would like to recognize the wonderful donors who help make dreams like Frank’s come true. If you would like to make a donation to the Breton Ability Centre Charitable Foundation, please visit bretonability.ca/donate/.
