Tonight's picture was taken in June of 2009. Mattie was in the outpatient clinic and sitting at the art table. As you can see, his art therapists gave him a big bin filled with water, for water play. Mattie had his boat in there and other objects. He was even blowing bubbles. But there was a reason behind all of this as well, in addition to it being fun. We all wanted Mattie to exercise his lungs as he was recovering from his sternotomy, lung surgery. We knew getting Mattie to use a spirometer wasn't happening, so instead, we made lung exercises fun. Mattie was the kind of kid that forced all of us to think outside the box. I of course had years of practice under my belt with Mattie prior to cancer, but his therapists got up to speed quickly.
Quote of the day: To succeed in life, you need three things: a wishbone, a backbone and a funny bone. ~ Reba McEntire
Mattie Miracle interacts with mental health professionals all over the Country. We have the opportunity to do this for two reasons. The first of which is we generated the vision to create Psychosocial Standards of Care. As such, we had to pull health care professionals from all over the Country to be involved in this historical endeavor. But second, once the Standards were published, we believe it is important to attend conferences and present the Standards to various health care groups. The network of mental health professionals who assist children with cancer in our Country is not a small number, but it also isn't an overwhelming number of people either. So once you meet several of the key leaders, you would be amazed at the incredible network of other professionals you can access.
So what's my point to this? Well yesterday I received an email from a psychologist in California. I have met her twice at conferences. She is very familiar with our story, with the Standards, and values our Foundation's mission. In fact, she told me that the Standards gave her actual documentation that validates her job with her institution and administration. The email she sent me this week had me chuckling. So much so, that I still haven't responded to it. She told me she is coming into DC for a conference and wants to meet me again. However, here is the funny part! She wants to come to Mattie Miracle's office, get a tour of the space where "the Magic happens" and to meet our staff. Do you find this as humorous as me?! I am still laughing, even as I type this. It actually is an incredible compliment because she views us as a major operation. Little does she know that I work the "magic" from Mattie's bedroom, at a small deck, with NO STAFF. I will share the reality with her shortly, but tonight's quote is so right....... you need a funny bone to survive and thrive as a small business.
1 comment:
Vicki, this woman's email demonstrates that the work you have accomplished is so phenomenal it leaves the impression of a large staff, office space, etc. I say congratulations to the compliment!
Hope you will share her thoughts when she hears & sees reality of the Mattie Miracle day to day operation.
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