Edinburgh care home resident returns to the ice

An 88-year-old resident at a care home in Edinburgh has revisited her lifelong passion for skating – decades after she last took to the ice.

When team members at Care UK’s Murrayside, on South Beechwood in Corstorphine, learned that Sheila Rodriguez wanted to take to the rink again, they were determined to make her wish come true.

They quickly got in touch with the Murrayfield Ice Rink team, who were only too happy to invite her to their inclusive skating session.

During the journey to the rink, Sheila shared memories of her early skating days, telling how she was first inspired to learn at the age of 12 after her mother took her to a show.

Determined to pursue the sport, she attended open sessions at her local rink and worked at Woolworths to save up for lessons. They were clearly successful, with Sheila going on to compete, perform in panto on ice, including Cinderella in Brighton and even take part in shows across Germany and Yugoslavia.

After wrapping up warm, Sheila was taken on the ice with her wheelchair as part of the rink’s and, working with Gemma, the home’s lifestyle lead, and an instructor, even completed several laps, showing off her old skills. 

Sheila said: “I was surprised and delighted to be allowed on the ice in my wheelchair!

“It was so touching to be back on the ice again, especially as it is so close to my heart.” 

The visit was part of the home’s Wishing Tree initiative, which encourages residents to put forward their goals and allows them to reconnect with a past hobby or try something completely new.

Suzanne Welsh, Home Manager at Murrayside, said: “Sheila’s love of skating has always been part of her story, so it was wonderful to hear how much she enjoyed being back on the ice.

“She told the team stories on the way there about saving up for lessons and performing in Cinderella on Ice. It was lovely to hear, and even more special to see her back in that environment after all these years.

“We’re always looking for ways to bring joy and meaning to our residents’ lives, and this was one of those moments that reminded us why we do what we do.”

Murrayside care home provides full-time residential, nursing and dementia care, and has been specially designed to support residents in leading active and fulfilling lives, while also promoting independence. It incorporates plenty of space for leisure activities and hobbies, and has its own cinema, hair and beauty salon and pub.