You know, sometimes you stumble upon a story and it stays with you for a long time. This is one of those stories. The University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital just recently opened a few new floors to their hospital. These overlook the Hawkeye’s Stadium. The staff decided that they would dedicate a portion of the new construction to a “press box”, a place where sick kids who are inpatients and their families could watch the Hawkeyes play home games.
One mother had an idea, and she wrote to the team on facebook. Wouldn’t it be nice, she said, if at some point in the game, the whole stadium got up and waved to the kids watching in the hospital?
The team decided to do it. They started in September. Now, between the first and second quarter, the whole stadium stands up and waves to the kids in the hospital, and they wave back. It’s like a seventh inning stretch, but it connects the two worlds. It helps the sick kids and the families feel like they are being seen. It creates awareness for those who go to the games that there are sick kids there all the time, through all the seasons, and through all the holidays.
And the best part, is it doesn’t cost a thing.
All because a mom of a sick kid wrote to a team, and told them what would be nice. She told them what she wanted. And it has changed a culture.
How amazing is that?
Here is a video of the story! Watch the whole thing!
Watch and share with your friends.
Imagine if parents were always heard like this and communities helped in the healing process.
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