Tonight's picture was taken in May of 2009. Mattie was getting stir crazy in his room and he clearly needed a diversion. So Peter blew up exam gloves and gave them to Mattie. They were like mini balloons and when Mattie's nurse came in to see him, this was the sight she saw!
Quote of the day: One often calms one's grief by recounting it. ~ Pierre Cornielle
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There are many things about people and in our world in general that can easily put me in a funk, as it relates to childhood cancer. I went to the hospital today to prepare for Friday. On Friday, Mattie Miracle is having its annual check signing party. But in addition to donating $30,000 to the hospital we will also be launching our NEW bright orange free family snack cart. I went today to meet with Linda (Mattie's child life specialist) to attach the wonderful Mattie Miracle magnets to the cart. It is hard to describe these magnets.... they are huge and they have our logo and our website on them. I will post photos of the cart and magnets on Friday. However, while at the hospital I ran into one of the professionals we know who helped us when Mattie was battling cancer. Her intentions are always well meaning, because she feels Peter and I are good parents. But each time I see her, she encourages me to join the big brother/big sister program or to nurture and raise a child. She feels that this will help me with my grief. Some days I deal with advice better than others, but today wasn't one of those days especially when you tell me that you understand how I feel. In all reality, one may want to empathize with how Peter and I feel, but when you lose a child to cancer, have to continue living, and you haven't walked in our shoes, I would suggest that you limit your dialogue. Removing the lexicon of..... "I know how you are feeling" is a top priority. In addition, what works for one couple who is dealing with the loss of a child, doesn't always work for everyone. Which is why being prescriptive with parents who are grieving isn't a good or viable plan.
The second issue that is fresh on my mind is the spin that the media is doing over the candle light vigil that was closed down in front of the White House this past weekend. I included two links so you could come to your own conclusion. The first link is to the coverage by our local channel 7. That article (and there was a companion live broadcast, but I can't find it on line) was actually more accurate and you can see the comments people are leaving behind. The childhood cancer community is disgusted and this weekend's performance only adds to their frustration, especially since the President has refused to turn the White House gold two years in a row.
However, the MORE upsetting video comes from the Today Show. All I can say is.... shame on them. Several childhood cancer advocates were interviewed for the Show, however, when you see the clip, their voices and perspectives have been completely eliminated. The media is truly diverting the attention from the issues at hand and instead is making the Secret Service look like the evil ones. I suggest the media look in the mirror! Instead of shedding light on the vital issue at hand, which is childhood cancer.... that we need more research funding, increase drug development, and access to psychosocial support, we are instead bogged down over the controversy of the Secret Service. Of course there is never any mention of the President's view point on the issue or where he stands on childhood cancer. Then again, we don't need the media's spin to understand this, because actions speak louder than words.
ABC 7 -- wrote a piece about the Secret Service's apology:
https://www.facebook.com/wjlatv/posts/10153662646568734
Today Show's coverage of the Secret Service Apology to the childhood cancer community:
http://www.hulu.com/watch/846816
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