Imagine having to be taught how to maneuver in and out of an automobile or learning to map out the best approach for entering and exiting a grocery store checkout. For many people these simple skills that once provoked little thought seem now to take a lifetime to conquer.

That is because those with joint replacements, congestive heart disease, prosthetic limbs, debilitating arthritis or neurological impairment benefit greatly, say healthcare professionals, from the use of life-sized daily living apparatuses, such as automobiles, grocery store shelves and post office counters.

For this reason St. Joseph of the Pines Health System will give its Rehabilitation Center a facelift by expanding, redecorating and enhancing the occupational and speech therapy entity – creating a 2,000 square foot independent transitional living unit, complete with a street corner, car, post office and grocery checkout line.

“To my knowledge we would be the only skilled nursing facility around to have these units,” said Rebecca Listrom, St. Joseph Development Director. “Folks can be seen re-acclimating to the community.” With the proposed unit, 28 therapy patients a day will be accommodated.

“Today, at the Rehabilitation Center, we watch as patients triumph over adversity and pain in an effort to regain their lives once more,” Listrom said.

The kick-off to raise $150,000 in donations by the end of 2006, which is the proposed unveiling of architectural plans and rendering, is Saturday, June 3, when An Evening of Musical Magic will take place at the Belle Meade Retirement Resort Clubhouse at 6 p.m. The projected cost for the entire project is $400,000.

Tickets for the formal dinner will be $125. Listrom said $75 of that is tax deductible.

The Likewise Jazz Trio with vocals by Georgia Rogers Farmer is the highlight of the evening.