Thursday, July 26, 2018

Thursday, July 26, 2018

Tonight's picture was taken in July of 2009. I absolutely LOVE this photo. Mattie received this Sponge Bob figurine from a friend and Mattie decided to pose for the camera and give me his best Sponge Bob impression. Mattie knew I wasn't a Sponge Bob fan, which maybe what inspired him to like the cartoon character even more. 

Quote of the day: Parting is all we know of heaven and all we need to know of hell. ~ Emily Dickinson

Peter and I drove to Baltimore today to present a $45,000 check to Children's Hospital at Sinai. This is the second hospital we have endowed a Mattie Miracle Child Life Program Fund. Pictured with us from left to right are:

Dr. Aziza Shad (one of Mattie's oncologists, who actually was on call during Mattie's death) and Dr. Jonathan Ringo (President of Sinai Hospital)

When I was asked where we wanted to have the check presentation, I immediately said the child life playroom. The playroom always meant the most to Mattie when he was in treatment at Georgetown University Hospital. Also since we are funding a child life position, it makes sense that we embrace where this professional will be working. You will notice I was holding a photo of Mattie in this picture and our Snack and Item Cart was beside me. 

At the presentation Dr. Shad said something as did Dr. Ringo. Then I spoke on behalf of the Foundation. Given that this hospital never met Mattie, the only way I can bring him alive to for them is through my stories and conversation. 

Pictured from left to right:
Joanne Lanzo (Director, Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine), Laura Cohen (Child Life Coordinator), Susan Daw (Director of Women's and Children Services), Dr. Aziza Shad (Chief of Pediatrics), Dr. Jonathan Ringo (President of the Hospital), Peter, Vicki, Kristen Mylotte (Child Life specialist) and Kelly Beck (child life specialist)

No check signing would be complete without Mattie cupcakes. Of course NO ONE at this hospital knew our cupcake story, so I had to explain it. When Mattie was managing with cancer, he rarely ate. So when he requested any sort of food, we gave it to him. Mattie was motivated by cupcakes. They were incentives to complete physical therapy. Which is why cupcakes are always present at our events. They mean that Mattie is with us! Notice the butterfly sugar candies on top of each cupcake. Everyone thought I bought these cupcakes today. On the contrary I baked all of them on my birthday!

After the check presentation, we pushed around the Snack and Item Cart with the child life staff. I had done this once before at the Hospital, but it was Peter's first experience today at Sinai. The staff enabled us to meet children and families and hear direct feedback about the Cart.  

Me with a dad! His child was asleep in the room, but apparently his daughter loves the Cart and really wanted to meet us. 

This young lady's name is Victory. The photo doesn't do her justice, as she has a smile that lights up a room. She wasn't feeling great today and really wanted no visitors. Until she heard that it was us with the Cart. Her mom said Victory hasn't smiled all day, until she got to see the candy on Cart. 

This is Isabella and her mom. Isabella was not happy today as she had to get a blood draw involving needles. Like Victory's mom, Isabella's mom told me the same thing. She said the Cart is the one thing that consistently provides her daughter with smiles. 

This is Noam and his mom. Another cutie with a great smile. You want to know what excited Noam? Try a blue toothbrush. He was thrilled to be able to pick one out the basket, not to mention filling up a bag filled with treats.