A Wii of their own: Good Samaritan donates video game system to Potomac Place

By Josh Eiserike

Published: April 20, 2008

Cindy Gesling declined a nearly $500 offer for her extra Nintendo Wii.

She had read news articles about the Wii helping seniors and veterans with rehabilitation, and had bought the extra console last December with the full intention of donating it to a worthy cause.

"I had two other people try to buy this off of me," Gesling said. "They offered me more than I paid for it."

Instead, she donated it to Potomac Place, an assisted living home for seniors in Woodbridge.

She stopped by Potomac Place on a rainy afternoon in early April to drop off the Nintendo Wii, two controllers and Wii Sports, the game that comes with the console.

"I'm glad you all are going to enjoy it, as much as I enjoy mine," Gesling said. "When I bought it back in December it was with the intention to donate. I wanted to find the right group to donate to."

Gesling said she read a Potomac News and Manassas Journal Messenger article about Potomac Place using the Wii for rehabilitation. But, the Potomac Place residents could only use the system during their rehabilitation and did not have access to it for social purposes.

"I just said 'This is where it's going'," Gesling said.

Jim Lawrence the president of the resident council at Potomac Place accepted the donation in front of a handful of Potomac Place residents and employees in the library.

"We're really grateful," Lawrence said. "Oh my goodness, we really appreciate it."

Some residents, like Rose Nemerow are looking forward to more time with the games. Nemerow made progress in her physical therapy thanks in part to Wii Sports.

"I'm going to play it every day," Nemerow said. "Every day they'll let me."

The Wii clocks her fastball at over 90 mph.

"I'm not worried about competition because nobody was as good as I was," Nemerow said. "I hope to practice so I can get better."

Potomac Place marketing and events coordinator Julie Keyser said Potomac Place's par-ent company, Coordinated Services Management Inc. is considering using Wiis as therapy and recreation in its different properties.

"I think they're definitely interested in using it for recreation, especially Rose, she's very excited," Keyser said.

She said Wii time would be built into the residents' activity schedule so people would be sure to have game partners.

"If the residents like it, they could purchase additional games with their funds," Keyser said.

Gesling, 46, of Woodbridge, has her own Wii, on which she plays games like "Guitar Hero," "Zelda" and "Call of Duty."

She said she knew it was difficult to find a Wii, but she's had plenty of luck finding stores with consoles in stock.

So why do something like this?

"Because I can," Gesling said. "It makes me feel good to help other people out."

Staff writer Josh Eiserike can be reached at 703-878-8072 or