Monday, February 19, 2018

Monday, February 19, 2018

Tonight's picture was taken in February of 2008. That particular day, Mattie's kindergarten class went to Martha's Table in DC to help bag donuts and other items for the homeless. It was a sight to see all these little ones working! They appeared to be set up in a factory type line, with gloves and hair nets on! After all the food was bagged, it was clean up time. Mattie was a good cleaner and helper! As you can see he took a broom and pan and was actively participating. The little girl next to Mattie is Charlotte. Mattie deemed Charlotte his "girlfriend." Actually to be more specific he said she was the person he was going to marry! The beauty of Mattie!!! They were the best of friends and brought out the best in each other. 



Quote of the day: Compassion brings us to a stop, and for a moment we rise above ourselves. ~  Mason Cooley

Peter and I went to MedStar Georgetown University Hospital today to push our Mattie Miracle snack and item cart. Before we went up to the pediatric unit, we decided to walk through the children's art gallery on the first floor of the main hospital. Purposefully I do this periodically to see if Mattie's poster is still on display. It has been for 8 years now. 

This poster means a lot to me. Back in 2009, Mattie's child life specialist, Linda, asked Mattie to design his ideal hospital room. Mattie did just that out of Legos. But it did not stop there. Mattie developed a whole story line around the Lego model and the Lego characters he placed in the scene. The story was captured and turned into this poster! 

I am sure when Linda invited Mattie to participate in this exercise, she never thought that the outcome would be a legacy item!

Next to Mattie's poster in the art gallery is a collage I developed at the same time. Basically addressing the same question..... how would you design an ideal pediatric oncology room and hospital?

I answered that question visually and my canvas has been on display next to Mattie's for eight years!

Given that today is President's Day, Peter was able to come with me to the Hospital and push the cart around the three pediatric units. I am so glad that Peter joined me and got to see the cart in motion! Keep in mind that these were the same units Mattie was in while in treatment. So going back is always filled with memories. In fact, Peter walked right into room 10 in the PICU today. Room 10 is significant to us because that was the room Mattie died in. A room never to be forgotten. 

This is what the Mattie Miracle Cart looks like. Or at least the back of the cart! Pictured with Peter and me are Tricia and Miki. Both of these women were Mattie's nurses! Absolutely incredible, competent and compassionate women!

I go to the Hospital once a month to push this cart personally. I do this for various reasons. First, I want to be able to interact directly with patients and families, second, I want to observe how effective the cart is, and third, I want to get direct feedback from families about what works or needs improvement on the cart. Overall, I would say people are stunned that such a cart exists and better yet that it is a free service to them.