Nonprofit partners with retirement community to bring residents to the beach

CAROLINA BEACH, NC (WWAY) — No matter the age, for many, nothing beats a day on the beach. But it’s not always easy for those with limited mobility.

Ocean Cure partnered up with Liberty Senior Living’s Brightmore of Wilmington, and Carolina Bay’s Bradley Creek Health Center on Tuesday to bring senior residents to Carolina Beach. Ocean cure uses large mats, along with specialized wheelchairs and walkers to allow those with mobility issues to get around the beach and even get into the water.  

Ocean Cure President and Founder Kevin Murphy said the partnership allows residents to return to the water, many of whom are not usually able to. 

“We love this partnership, to be able to get some of our most senior members of the community down onto the beach,” Murphy said. “Many grew up on the beach, and this is an opportunity they get to get back down here and see the ocean, tell some great stories, laugh a lot, and teach us a little bit about everything.”   

As Liberty Senior Living Regional Wellness and Enrichment Coordinator Haley Kinne-Norris added, some residents even brought along their family. 

“Families love it because they can join in too and, you know, come to the beach with mom, dad like when they were kids.”  

World War II Veteran Bill Eggers was among the seniors attending. He describes himself as a “beach guy, though he wasn’t initially set on going into the water.  

“I used to be a lifeguard out of the Hamptons, but I’m not sure I want to go in today,” Eggers said. 

But it seems after some help, Eggers had made up his mind to head down. Another resident in the water says she almost didn’t come out to the event. 

“This is wonderful. It’s absolutely wonderful. I almost didn’t come, they said ‘you’ll love it’ and I’m so glad I did, I am having so much fun,” she said. 

To learn more about Ocean Cure’s services, visit their website.