'adoption' Plea Brings Flood Of Calls
Illawarra Mercury
Thursday November 13, 2008
RHONDA Bowen's unusual call in yesterday's Mercury to be adopted by an elderly couple has won her many hearts.
The 59-year-old retiree's idea of making herself available to be "adopted" by seniors, so she could help with shopping, drop in for a cuppa or simply make a phone call to cheer someone up, struck a chord with many readers."After I did the interview I thought 'wouldn't it be awful if no-one wants to adopt me'," Ms Bowen said."But when I spoke to the girl from the Mercury (yesterday) morning she said not to worry, 'we've got a list'."Well what a day I've had."As soon as she left her Wollongong home yesterday Ms Bowen was approached at the bus stop by someone who knew of a lady who could adopt her.By 9am, Ms Bowen had been contacted by television's A Current Affair, where producers were also taken with Ms Bowen's big heart and were keen to share her story with a national audience."I'd wanted to do this before and haven't had the courage, but I went for it this time," Ms Bowen said."It has opened up a whole new world really."Ms Bowen has already begun talking with one elderly gentleman whose wife is in a nursing home with dementia."I said to him 'hello darling'."He paused and then said 'it has been a long time since someone called me darling'."I think we look after old women but old men don't get much of a look in, which is sad."By 3pm yesterday an exhausted Ms Bowen had the phone off the hook for a brief rest, but said there were no regrets putting herself up for adoption."One thing I've learned is that there are people out there just like me that want more friends but aren't willing to do anything about it."
© 2008 Illawarra Mercury
