Stead Family Children's Hospital

[eveningnewsteam]

I thought after seeing "The Wave" a few times, the novelty would've worn off, but I still get a tish misty eyed when they do it.

Ya. We do it every home game and it's still emotional, but it's tough watching opposing fans who see it for the first time. There was a lady from NIU last week in the east stands that had tears streaming down her face blowing kisses up to the kids. I had to turn away, about lost it.

 

[hawkeyebob62]

Thanks for bringing out that point. It turns our whole family upside down at times. Not to mention that kids with special needs are often targeted for bullying and the sibs have to live through that as well. One of my "healthy kids" ( a stellar athlete btw, who got to play against Bates Diopp, Lyle, Finke, Hill and a bunch of others has a friend whose dad is a doctor. That family made it clear that our daughter wouldn't be allowed to be around their daughter (they were both in K at the time) as our daughters appearance would "frighten" their daughter. Caused a lot of internal conflict for our son.

I will say the people at Stead were very nice, but then again most involved in children's type hospitals aren't. It wasn't the fault of the local RMH. They need more funding, but I'm not sure how that works. RMH is a terrific program. The best thing is having a place to chill out. That part of IC RMH seemed just fine. It was the individual room and that may have just been what was available. It for sure needed help. It's also really nice when people come in and cook meals as it gives an impression that there are people who do care. Glad to hear you are involved.

I may have mentioned this to you before, but I had an older brother who was hit by a car when I was 8. He was in a coma for 27 months (never woke up) and died 1/1/73. He was in various hospitals, and even at home for a stretch, but basically, nothing could be done, as brain trauma was extensive. Let's just say I couldn't stand the sound of a siren for several years without freaking out.

But...we were blessed. First, my parents never had to travel beyond where we lived (Chicago area). They never had to make overnight stays in faraway places. And as for meals, our neighborhood "rallied" so many times, with meals, gifts of all kinds of foods, moral support, watching my little brother and I, etc. etc. And my Mom truly felt that she had 27 months to "prepare" for his death. She told me two things that have really stuck with me.

First, what my parents went through was awful, but they DID have time to prepare. Think about how many people have kids taken from them in a split-second. That is a near-impossible tragedy to reconcile in your heart and mind without serious time, talk/counseling, etc. Second, when the idea of an RMH-type house was first brought to our area Kiwanis clubs (it was not RMH at that point), I happened to be club president. When I told my parents about it, my mom avidly urged me to push for our club to participate, fund, etc., in any way we could. She noted how they came across so many people at various hospitals and rehab centers who were from out of town and out of state, and how, back then, it was so difficult for them coping with the dual problem of an injured/sick/surgical child AND dealing with the "healthy" kids, PLUS the day-to-day of things like food, lodging and, oh yeah, school, clothes and the like for the "healthy" kids.

Yes, it's TERRIBLE for the afflicted kids and their parents. It's terrible for the "healthy" siblings, too. But...there are a lot of "bright" spots, too, RMH (and similar programs) being one of them.

 

[hawkeyebob62]

Ya. We do it every home game and it's still emotional, but it's tough watching opposing fans who see it for the first time. There was a lady from NIU last week in the east stands that had tears streaming down her face blowing kisses up to the kids. I had to turn away, about lost it.

Some times it's the "happy" crying that's the hardest...

 

[hawkeyebob62]

I hate to say it, but there is something about sick kids that can bring out the absolute worst in people. Once word got around about the benefits of having a disabled child at Disney, the number of kids with disabilities skyrocketed and there are forums for people talking about how to milk services and privileges for everything. People are way too quick to take advantage of the kindness of others. I'm definitely not saying that this is the case at the children's hospital, but yeah, well the world has done things to make people cynical.

Unfortunately, so true. It's amazing what lengths some will go to "milk" the system. And everyone pays the price in the form of more stringent guidelines for corporate donation policies, public and private foundation guidelines, and advance request deadlines that blindside folks who have "sudden" tragedies.

 

[hawkeyebob62]

Part of the reason my old lady wanted to move to the South was so we didn't drive to Iowa anymore because she said if she has to hear this one more time she is going to yank the wheel into the Old Man while we cross the bridge:

Could you maybe "HN Live" us all with your rendition of that song or, perhaps, "Ol' Man River"?

 

[HuckFinn]

One of my children has been a patient at the hospital several times. She was disappointed her stays weren't over a weekend during the football season (next surgery scheduled after football is over) but she did think it cool that she got to see the stadium when there.

Something that did surprise me is that when she's been there the number of other patients is really low during the week. I imagine weekends even lower. Maybe it was just timing.

Annoying was when some obvious privileged types were taking in the splendor and wouldn't give up their seats or space standing up to the window to my daughter who was a day out of surgery (obviously in distress), and a boy who had major health issues. We were able to wait, but the boy's and his family left right away.

Anyone who hasn't been up there though, it's really worth seeing.

Was not aware of your daughter's medical issues. Please accept my best wishes for her, and of course, your whole family.

 

[HawkGold]

Was not aware of your daughter's medical issues. Please accept my best wishes for her, and of course, your whole family.

Thx and much appreciated. The past few days I've been having to deal with the medical issues and the school. Takes so much time. Movies like Wonder give an glimpse at life for those with challenges, but they give a false sense of happy endings.

This summer I enjoyed the opportunity to come on here when she was in surgery and tests. My avatar (wouldn't all fit) was taken during her surgery.

 

[HawkGold]

I may have mentioned this to you before, but I had an older brother who was hit by a car when I was 8. He was in a coma for 27 months (never woke up) and died 1/1/73. He was in various hospitals, and even at home for a stretch, but basically, nothing could be done, as brain trauma was extensive. Let's just say I couldn't stand the sound of a siren for several years without freaking out.

But...we were blessed. First, my parents never had to travel beyond where we lived (Chicago area). They never had to make overnight stays in faraway places. And as for meals, our neighborhood "rallied" so many times, with meals, gifts of all kinds of foods, moral support, watching my little brother and I, etc. etc. And my Mom truly felt that she had 27 months to "prepare" for his death. She told me two things that have really stuck with me.

First, what my parents went through was awful, but they DID have time to prepare. Think about how many people have kids taken from them in a split-second. That is a near-impossible tragedy to reconcile in your heart and mind without serious time, talk/counseling, etc. Second, when the idea of an RMH-type house was first brought to our area Kiwanis clubs (it was not RMH at that point), I happened to be club president. When I told my parents about it, my mom avidly urged me to push for our club to participate, fund, etc., in any way we could. She noted how they came across so many people at various hospitals and rehab centers who were from out of town and out of state, and how, back then, it was so difficult for them coping with the dual problem of an injured/sick/surgical child AND dealing with the "healthy" kids, PLUS the day-to-day of things like food, lodging and, oh yeah, school, clothes and the like for the "healthy" kids.

Yes, it's TERRIBLE for the afflicted kids and their parents. It's terrible for the "healthy" siblings, too. But...there are a lot of "bright" spots, too, RMH (and similar programs) being one of them.

Thx for sharing that and seriously, kudos for being involved in RM House.

 

[Northside Hawk]

Yes, a persistent and relentless week.

Dubuque's Riverview Park, which is outside the floodwall, is now closed until further notice. It was also closed for the Independence Day fireworks, but this timing especially sucks because the Dragon Boat Races are scheduled for this weekend. I have been involved with dragon boats in some capacity off and on since the late eighties. While this has caused me to have to watch many Cy-Hawk games on DVR, watching or racing the dragon boats can be exciting in it's own way. Also a good way to trade domestics for Molsons or LaBatts.

 

[Northside Hawk]

Part of the reason my old lady wanted to move to the South was so we didn't drive to Iowa anymore because she said if she has to hear this one more time she is going to yank the wheel into the Old Man while we cross the bridge:

The next scene, when the Griswold's get lost in a seedy area of Saint Louis, is one of the funniest you will see in any movie.

 

[ThunderHawk]

But if you line up a bunch of hospital beds against the window it will destroy the sight lines for the kid who got his tonsils taken out on Friday and managed to turn it into an overnight stay. JUST KIDDING - I just noticed the same thing as you. Frankly, though, if my boy was battling leukemia or something I probably wouldn't drag him up to the viewing place and I would want his privacy respected and not have him shown on TV unless he really wanted to do it.

I wouldn't want a kid with leukemia and the corresponding compromised immune system around all of those people and their germs in the first place

 

[hawkeyebob62]

Dubuque's Riverview Park, which is outside the floodwall, is now closed until further notice. It was also closed for the Independence Day fireworks, but this timing especially sucks because the Dragon Boat Races are scheduled for this weekend. I have been involved with dragon boats in some capacity off and on since the late eighties. While this has caused me to have to watch many Cy-Hawk games on DVR, watching or racing the dragon boats can be exciting in it's own way. Also a good way to trade domestics for Molsons or LaBatts.

Check out Dueling Dragons Orlando. It pairs cops and kids in Orlando, and now includes firefighters, as well. They are now under the umbrella of Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Florida. Our Kiwanis club has them as one of our service partners. They sent two teams to Chicago in July, both of which won their respective divisions.

There is also a big shindig in Orlando in October.

 

[Northside Hawk]

Check out Dueling Dragons Orlando. It pairs cops and kids in Orlando, and now includes firefighters, as well. They are now under the umbrella of Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Florida. Our Kiwanis club has them as one of our service partners. They sent two teams to Chicago in July, both of which won their respective divisions.

There is also a big shindig in Orlando in October.

Dragon Boat Races have been moved to AY McDonald park, inside the floodwall and in a less treacherous part of the river. Other than the high water weather should be perfect-and perfect for Cy-Hawk football.