Heart of Hospice Nurse Helps Grant Patient’s Last Wish

Franklin, LA, September 25, 2018 --(PR.com)-- On Sunday, Heart of Hospice nurse Linda Douglas went above and beyond to help fulfill her patient, Brent Martin’s, last wish of meeting the New Orleans Saints.

Brent Martin, 24, is one of three individuals in the country that has been diagnosed with a rare genetic defect called Hermanksy-Pudlak syndrome. There are nine types of the condition, all of which cause lightening pigmentation of the skin, hair, and eyes, poor vision, and in some, more severe cases, frequent blood clotting, pulmonary fibrosis and liver failure.

Martin, who was admitted to Heart of Hospice in February, sometimes needs the assistance of oxygen to complete his daily tasks. Martin’s mother, Malena Martin, knew that he had always hoped to attend a New Orleans Saints game and meet the team. Malena contacted the New Orleans Saints who graciously gifted Brent and his mother not only tickets to the September 16 game versus the Cleveland Browns, but also, a signed shirt from Drew Brees, a signed football, a 2017 Saints yearbook, and a Madden Football video game for his X-Box.

When Malena found out about the game, she was instantly worried Brent would not be able to make the long trip to New Orleans due to his oxygen needs. Upon hearing Malena’s concerns however, Linda Douglas, Brent’s nurse, offered to accompany them to make sure his wish was granted.

Malena and Linda planned for weeks to ensure that the trip remained a surprise for Brent. Linda said, “To keep it a surprise we told him he was going to New Orleans for a doctor's appointment in a hospital-based clinic. Then, he was absolutely tickled to find out I was meeting him there! On Saturday, we rolled him into the Saints Training Center and waited in the lobby until it was time to meet the team. Since Brent cannot see well, he assumed we were waiting in a hospital lobby for a nurse to call him back. He believed it up until the time we pushed him in his wheelchair onto the practice field. At this point, he knew we weren't at a hospital, but he couldn't see quite well enough yet to tell exactly what was going on.”

A Saints representative turned to Brent to ask him if he still thought he was at the hospital, to which Brent replied, “No but I’m not quite sure where I am.” Linda informed him, and says that, “when he found out he was on the Saints training field, his face lit up like a Christmas tree.”

The next day, Brent and Malena were able to watch the Saints game in the stadium just as he had always dreamed. Linda was there to help monitor his oxygen and relieve their stress so that they could enjoy that moment together, as a family.

When Linda was asked about what motivated her to step in and help the Martins, she said, “Last wishes help keep individuals focused on achieving their goal. Their hopes and dreams are what make them happy. This world has far too much sadness in it, and if I can help them achieve even one goal or dream, then I get paid in blessings beyond compare.”