Tonight Carolyn Zens, Matt Romkey and I headed to Mercy Hospital to hang out with Christopher, one of our miracle children.  The last few weeks Christopher has been in and out of the hospital, and thanks to his CarePage updates we thought he might be up for some Dance Marathon visitors.  As we walked into the hospital we were greeted by another Miracle mom and she asked us to sign in  and told Christopher we were here.  He opened the door to his room with a BIG smile and said “This is my room, come on!”

The room had a few toy cars, a blanket, Fluff (his favorite stuffed animal), and Fuzzy his new build-a-bear.  We brought him a few new toys and as he opened the bag he oohed and ahhed and tossed the new toys at his mom to look at.  Then he came to the glow-in-dark-sword. Almost instantly the hospital room turned into no-lights fighting zone between Christopher and Matt.  

As they played, Christopher’s IV pole was beeping and a nurse had to come and figure out what was wrong.  As they looked at the IV, Christopher tried hard to sit still next to his mom while to nurses looked and flushed his IV.  As I watched, I saw his feet squirming and his face cringing, but the only thing he asked was that they flush slowly and if he could hold his new sword.  He knew more about IVs than I could ever imagine knowing as a 22 year old, let only being just 5 years old.  His bravery and patience could teach all of us a lesson in life.  The few times I have ever had to have an IV I cringe, shut my eyes, and need a hand hold, but this 5 year old was so brave and once they realized that he needed a new IV the only thing he said was, “Don’t call the doctor with the big needles.”   Christopher’s courage was inspiring and motivational.    I hope that all people, old and young alike, can turn to Christopher for inspiration whether it be for health, happiness, or DANCING because this little guy was so brave as he sat on the hospital bed. 

I can’t imagine sitting in the hospital for days being strapped to an IV pole, then having 3 college students come to play and visit with me.  As Christopher waited for the nurses he was still playing with his sword and waiting for them to finish.  When they finished, he jumped right up and began playing again.  He had SO much energy and didn’t even mind that there were girls there to play with him, even though he used his blanket to be invisible from us.   

His mom, Kristina says his older siblings can’t wait to come to Dance Marathon and “stay all night”.  Christopher calls us Dance America.  So tonight, I am part of Dance America!

Let’s hope and pray Christopher gets healthy so he can come to Dance America 2010.

Love,

Mollie Martin

Family Relations Co-Chair