It's one of our favorite times of year...time to give Christmas gifts to the patients and parents who are currently admitted to Methodist Children's Hospital. Rowan had to be at infusion clinic all day Tuesday, so we loaded up the van the night before.
He was so excited to see how much we had to take to them that morning.
Once we got to clinic, and Rowan got all of his pre-meds though, he fell fast asleep.
The Child Life staff helped me unload my van while he slept. They were thrilled to see all of the special gifts we had purchased through Rowan's foundation.
We pulled the carts close to him, and they took their picture with him, asleep in the middle, so I could show him later, just how excited they were to accept all of the gifts. They told us that the patients and parents were going to love it all.
Here are photos of some of the items we purchased...
For the parents, we always buy them toiletry kits, blankets, big fluffy pillows and 500 thread count pillow cases. This year we also added reusable water bottles filled with chocolate kisses:)
We also brought more of the "newly diagnosed patient" parent kits. These are tubs with handles, that we fill with items that truly come in handy when you get admitted suddenly and unexpectedly, often for long periods of time (such as parents of the children who get diagnosed with Cancer at a doctor appointment, and have their worlds turned upside down in an instant). They include nail clippers, combs, tissues, face wipes, clorox wipes, flossers, laundry bags, hand lotion, body wash, chap-sticks, water bottles, etc. The staff has told us how important and helpful these kits have been, and we are happy to continue providing them whenever we can.
Another type of kit that we provided more of, is the newborn/infant care kits. In these we give teethers, safety nail clippers, small toys, body wash and bath poofs, etc. These have also been very well received.
Then comes the fun stuff, the toys.
Stuffed animals...
Coloring, arts and crafts...
Amazing indoor "SNOW" fun sets...
Legos. You can't go wrong with legos. Rowan's all time favorite thing to do in the hospital...
Barbies & Princesses...
Infant aquariums and mobiles...
Playdoh, Rowan's second favorite thing to do in the hospital...
Star Wars and Frozen themed toys (everyone's favorite right now:)...
And finally, comfort items for the patients, like socks...
chap-sticks...
and 4 more boxes of blankets, given to us by another charity, "The Linus Project"...
The Child Life Staff will be distributing all of these items throughout the holidays, and we believe they will bring lots and lots of smiles to faces of those stuck in the hospital, rather than at home celebrating with family. It doesn't fix everything, but it helps a little:)
Next up was the staff. Rowan passed out buckets of chocolates to the PICU, PACU, ER, PIMC, HEM/ONC, Child Life, CCBC, Pedi-Surg and 4th Floor Units. Everyone was so sweet when they saw Rowan coming. They especially enjoy seeing him when he is not admitted:)
Giving is the most wonderful feeling in the world, and we are so happy to be able to use Rowan's Foundation to give back to those who have taken such good care of him, as well as to other children and families like ours, who spend a lot of time stuck in hospitals...even during the holidays. Thank you to everyone who has ever donated or supported The Rowan Jameson Windham Foundation. You make days like this possible. Merry Christmas to all, from...
