While visitors at the Carris Health Care Center and Therapy and Suites are not allowed during the COVID-19 pandemic, Madeline Sheard decided to connect with her 98-year-old great-grandmother Dorothy Benson in a different way.
The 20-year-old, who is a cello performance major at the University of Southern California, decided to share her musical gifts with her great-grandmother in an intimate cello performance through the door of a courtyard at Carris Health Care Center and Therapy and Suites on Thursday in Willmar. Benson was all smiles, as was Sheard.
"It was really special to be able to connect this way and share the power of music," Sheard said.
1/5: Madeline Sheard, left, plays the cello for her great grandmother Dorothy Benson while her grandfather Dennis Benson conducts along with the music in a courtyard at Carris Health Care Center and Therapy and Suites on Thursday in Willmar. Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune
2/5: Madeline Sheard blows a kiss to her 98-year-old great grandmother Dorothy Benson after she gave a cello performance through the door of a courtyard at Carris Health Care Center and Therapy and Suites on Thursday in Willmar. Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune
3/5: Madeline Sheard prepares to play the cello through the door for her great grandmother Dorothy Benson in a courtyard at Carris Health Care Center and Therapy and Suites on Thursday in Willmar. Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune
4/5: 98-year-old Dorothy Benson enjoys a cello performance by her great granddaughter Madeline Sheard through the door Thursday in a courtyard at Carris Health Care Center and Therapy and Suites in Willmar. Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune
5/5: Madeline Sheard prepares to play the cello through the door for her great grandmother Dorothy Benson in a courtyard at Carris Health Care Center and Therapy and Suites on Thursday in Willmar. Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune
Erica Dischino is a photojournalist for the West Central Tribune and Forum News Service. She grew up in northern New Jersey and has lived in the Midwest since 2017. She enjoys photographing the stories of west central Minnesota from county fairs, parades and pandemics. Feel free to contact her at edischino@wctrib.com or 320-894-8865 with your best photo ideas.
