John’s Story

If you’re ever visiting Iona’s Wellness & Arts Center, you might just bump into John Diggs, 75. He’ll be the man with a big smile on his face welcoming visitors and telling everyone he meets, “I love Iona!”

Give John a moment, and you’ll hear just why he’s become one of our most vocal supporters. “Iona really makes you feel good,” he says. “I’ve been telling people on the street about it!”

A longtime Washingtonian, John devoted his life to working hard and supporting his family. Over the years, he shined shoes, trained and worked as a cook, worked as a security guard for DC government, served in Vietnam, and eventually even became a secret service agent for President George H. W. Bush (among a number of other eclectic jobs).

At Iona, he’s known for his positive and optimistic presence. But, that wasn’t always the case for John, who has dementia. Before he started attending the

Wellness & Arts Center—which your donations help to sustain—John spent most of his days alone in his apartment. He’d call his niece, Debra Plummer, and son, Reggie, daily. “He was isolated, and would spend so much time thinking about his illness and what’s wrong in his life,” Debra says.

After a conversation with his doctor, John and his family agreed something needed to change. With his two sons— Reggie and Martin—and Debra, they visited several senior wellness centers in the area to find the best fit for John. He enrolled in Iona’s program in August 2018.

Today, John spends his Tuesdays and Wednesdays at Iona—exercising, making art, enjoying lively discussions, and more. Your contributions have made this program available to John, where he’s been able to make friends and learn new things—and remain independent at home.

Most noteworthy, you’ve transformed his outlook on life. “His mood is so much better,” says Debra. “Iona exposes him to exercise, drawing, and socializing. He sees more positivity in his life.”

John agrees, adding that he now has something to look forward to. “Coming here is motivating and uplifting,” he says. “If I didn’t go to church, I wish it was so I could come here on Sundays!”