Cowley resident spreads holiday cheer at Care Center

Mindy Mortensen has a smile that lights up a room and a sunny disposition to go with it. The 42-year-old Mortensen, a Cowley resident, was adopted as an infant by Hugh and Lyn Mortensen at a time when they thought they couldn’t have children. Later, the couple discovered they could have children and brought Mindy’s two younger sisters into the world.

According to mother Lyn, Mindy began to show signs of cerebral palsy at around 2 years old. In spite of her disability, she was always a happy child and never let her disability get in the way of her ability to bring happiness to others.

“Had we known (about the cerebral palsy), it wouldn’t have made any difference; we still would have adopted her,” said Lyn. “She has brought so much joy to our family.”

Recently, Mindy crocheted around 70 hats for residents of the New Horizons Care Center in Lovell. This was her first crochet project, having recently learned the craft from a friend at church. Crocheting that many hats is a daunting task for anyone, but even more so with a right hand that is less functional than the left, which is the case for Mindy. Mindy’s cerebral palsy affects mostly the right side of her body, causing her to drag her foot slightly and to have limited function in her right hand.

“She doesn’t let any of that get in her way,” said Lyn. “She’s figured out how to work around it and to do everything she wants to do.”

That includes fulfilling a dream to learn ballet at age 12, volunteering at the local high school library and producing numerous craft items like embroidered pillows with messages of “good news,” making 1,500 ornaments to give away and making finger knit wreaths. Mindy mostly uses her creative skills to produce gifts for others, especially those who may need a little extra kindness during the holidays.

“I made the hats because I wanted to be sure everyone (at the Care Center) had something for Christmas,” Mindy explained. “I didn’t want someone who might not have family to get left out.”

Mindy and her mother delivered the hats personally to residents at the Care Center last Monday. Most residents beamed with joy, trying on the hats and posing for photos with Mindy during her visit. Many continued to wear their hats for days after Mindy left the center.

“It was so fun to see all the residents in their stocking caps,” said Care Center Director of Nursing Michelle Horrocks. “They were so happy with big grins on their faces. The dedication it took for Mindy to make one cap for each resident is amazing. We are always so grateful when our community members embrace our residents that live here.”

 In addition to making crafts, Mindy enjoys dance, interacting with all people, especially children, and working out at the gym. Her parents Hugh and Lyn Mortensen and two sisters, Amy Lyden and Megan Wilson, are also very creative and enjoy helping Mindy with her projects.

By Patti Carpenter