A CARE home resident has visited a Bournemouth tattoo parlour to get a permanent reminder of her dancing days.
Rosemary Genesta Louise Mendham, a resident at Queensmount Bupa Care Home in Bournemouth, has celebrated her love of ballet with a dance-themed tattoo.
Care home staff took the 66-year-old to Hocus Tattoo Lounge to get the commemorative ink as part of the Bupa Care Homes’ #NeverTooLate initiative which helps residents do the things they’ve long wanted to do.
Claudia Carvell, manager at Queensmount, said: "Once we’d booked the appointment, we showed Rosemary a range of dance-themed designs for her tattoo, and she selected a beautiful ballet dancer that she wanted tattooed onto her shin.”
Rosemary, who has primary progressive multiple sclerosis, has danced throughout her life, performing in ballet productions such as Swan Lake, Cinderella, Snow White, and The Sound of Music at a semi-professional level.
Rosemary said: “I first started dancing when my aunt taught me basic ballet techniques when I was 5 years old. I then went to dance school and have loved it ever since.
“I love how graceful it is and have always felt it to be the most expressive dance form. It’s a passion that has played such a huge part of my life.
“I wanted a permanent reminder of my dancing days, as they were some of the happiest I’ve ever had. I’ve never been afraid of being different and I knew the team at Queensmount would support me, so I thought why not go for it.”
Rosemary was delighted with her tattoo experience. She added: “It didn’t hurt at all! They used some magic cream, and I didn’t feel any pain – in fact, I was chatting the whole time.”
Claudia said: “Rosemary really does epitomise that it is never too late to make your dreams come true.
"Here at Queensmount, we are passionate about going above and beyond for our residents and so are thrilled that we were able to put a smile on Rosemary’s face and facilitate her getting her fabulous new tattoo.”
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