HAVERHILL — Priscilla Dow of Bradford is about to have a longtime wish granted.
Tomorrow, the 72-year-old will ride on a float in the Santa Parade, which she has enjoyed watching for many years.
She'll be sitting in a rocking chair on the Merrimack Valley Hospital float, dressed warmly and sporting a decorative hat, probably in keeping with the theme of this year's parade, "A Candy Land Christmas."
Dow's life has been difficult. She has cerebral palsy and has spent many years in institutions, including Wrentham State School and Danvers State Hospital.
Two or three generations ago, people with cerebral palsy were assumed to be mentally disabled. Fortunately for Dow, times have changed.
Today she lives in her own apartment on South Summer Street. Staffers from Career Resources visit her each day to help her get down the stairs to do laundry and perform other tasks.
So how did Dow get her wish granted? Mary Ruth, who serves on the Human Rights Committee for Career Resources and has become a close friend with Dow, met Dow and Kate Crowley, who works two days a week as a caregiver, at Heav'nly Donuts in Bradford.
Crowley said Dow has mentioned many times she wants to ride in the Santa Parade.
"She's very determined," Crowley said. "Every year, I hear, 'I want to get on a float.'" Dow again stated her desire to ride on one of the floats in the parade.
Ruth is a friend of Joan Cranton, one of the organizers of the parade, so the request got a hearing.
Mary O'Neil of Merrimack Valley Hospital made the arrangements and now Dow will have her wish granted, riding on the hospital's entry in the parade.
When Dow was asked how long she has wanted to ride in the Santa Parade, she gave Ruth a hug.
Dow is now retired. She used to work for the Plus Co., based in Lawrence, and among other jobs, she packaged cookies for horses in Groveland.
She continues to be active in Greater Haverhill Self-Advocates, an organization of people with disabilities who, like Dow, are their own guardians.
Heav'nly Donuts is one of her favorite places — she even has her own seat — and that is where she has become friends with former Deputy police Chief Donald Shea and other retired police officers.
No doubt she'll have many fans along the parade route.
