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Friday, December 20, 2013
Angie’s special Christmas surprise
Special delivery: Terminally ill Duncan woman gets gift-wrapped surprise holiday visit from son
Ashley Degraaf
News Leader Pictorial
C
rouched waiting in a neatly wrapped recliner-chair-boxturned-Christmas-present, 20-year-old Bobby Bond waited for his mom to open her special Christmas surprise. “Bobby had to hold her up because her legs went weak,” explained Duncan resident Roz Wilson of the moment her daughter Angie Bond saw it was her son Bobby in the box. The mother and son hadn’t been together at Christmas for five years. The 42-year-old mother of two from Duncan is terminally ill. She was diagnosed with Huntington’s disease when she “It was one of was 33. Huntington’s the most meandisease is a hereditary brain disorder that ingful times affects body moveI have played ment, emotions, thinking, behaviour Santa.” and perception of the world. Folks with HD become less able to control movements, recall recent events, make decisions, and control emotions. “I had no idea,” Angie said when asked about the Dec. 7 surprise. “Big change,” she added of her son who’s grown close to six
Wixom
Ashley Degraaf, courtesy family
Duncan’s Angie Bond with her son Bobby Bond, who she hasn’t been together with at Christmas for five years. Angie’s friend Pam Wixom was instrumental in making the Christmas surprise reunion a reality. feet in height. Bobby currently lives in Mendota, Illinois. He moved there to be with his dad five years ago. Bobby and his sister Ashley Bond — who lives in Duncan with her mom and grandma — were born in Holland but grew up in Mendota. That’s also where Angie became best friends with Pam Wixom. Wixom was behind making the surprise Christmas visit a reality. And although her visit was short, Bobby is staying until Jan. 6. “That’s true friendship,” Wilson said of Pam, noting she also dressed as St. Nick and was able to entice Angie to the big present waiting for her by the front door. “She really wanted Bobby to see his mom.” For Wilson, who tears up every time she watches the video of the surprise, the toughest part was keeping it a secret from Angie.
“It was kind of spur of the moment, but we knew for a little while and it was hard to keep a secret.” When Angie’s visitors arrived to the house Wilson kept her daughter busy at the computer playing solitaire. “Pam snuck into my bedroom and got changed into Santa’s suit while the others got the present ready,” Wilson said. “It was just so nice of her and such a wonderful surprise for Angie with all of her family surrounding her.” It was a special moment for Bobby, as well. “I felt as if it wasn’t really happening. It really didn’t hit me until I was on the plane here, that I was really coming back to spend time with my family,” he said. “I’m really grateful that my mother’s friend, Pam Wixom, could make all that happen for us.”
Wixom was happy with how the surprise worked. “Angie and I have been good friends for many years. She is a great mom, and I know her kids bring her so much joy,” she said. “I admire Angie for her courage and ability to always look on the bright side, no matter what she is going through. “It was one of the most meaningful times I have played Santa. I was so glad to be able to be a part of this special moment.” bchonda.com
2013 Odyssey
AY THE HOLID T SALES EVEN IS HERE.
5,000
$
THE ODYSSEY COMES IN 1ST AS VAN OF THE YEAR . CASH PURCHASE INCENTIVE ††
#
2013 RIDGELINE STARTING FROM $36,630** $ INCLUDES , FREIGHT & PDI
bchonda.com
MODEL SHOWN: RL5H9DK
4 000
cash purchase incentive on any Odyssey model.£
ON EVERY 2013 RIDGELINE MODEL
£$4,000 Honda cash purchase incentive is available on select 2013 Odyssey models. Honda cash purchase incentive will be deducted from the negotiated price before taxes and cannot be combined with special lease or finance offers. PPSA, license, insurance, taxes, and other dealer charges are extra and may be required at the time of purchase. †† For more information about the Auto123.com Van of the Year award visit http://www.auto123.com/en/awards/finalist-categories ††/£ Offers valid from July 3rd through 31st, 2013 at participating Honda retailers. Dealer may sell for less. Dealer trade may be necessary on certain vehicles. Offers valid only for British Columbia residents at BC Honda Dealers locations. Offers subject to change or cancellation without notice. Terms and conditions apply. Visit www.bchonda.com or see your Honda retailer for full details.
www.discovery www.discoveryh ††
2013 Auto123.com Van of the Year
Model YK1F5DKNZ
#$5,000 cash purchase incentive available on every 2013 Ridgeline model. Honda cash purchase incentive cannot be combined with special lease or finance offers. Honda cash purchase incentive will be deducted from the negotiated price after taxes. **MSRP is $36,630 based on a new Ridgeline DX YK1F2DEZ including $1,640 freight and PDI. #/ */** Dealer may sell for less. Dealer trade may be required. For all offers license, insurance, applicable taxes and registration are extra. Prices and/or payments shown do not include representative PPSA lien registration and lien registering agent’s fees, which are due at time of delivery. Offers valid from December 3rd, 2013 through January 2nd, 2014 at participating Honda retailers. Offers valid only for British Columbia residents at BC Honda Dealers locations. Offers subject to change or cancellation without notice. Terms and conditions apply. Visit www.bchonda.com or see your Honda retailer for full details.
DL#5963
6466 Bell McKinnon Road, Duncan 250-748-5814 BCHD-July-Odyssey-10.306x1.786
www.discoveryhonda.com