Last Friday the DSG had the opportunity to visit another hospital here in Phoenix, St. Joseph’s. It’s hard to really express how good these hospital visits make me feel. I’ve said it before. When we were stuck in the hospital (we = the whole family) it was a major relief for all of us to be able to take our minds off of the fear and pain and just have fun for a bit. It’s really a great feeling to do that for other kids and parents.
Just before our visit Tom called me up and told me that his back was still hurting and that he wanted me to be Vader. I agreed solemnly…on the outside. On the inside I was jumping around and pumping my fists. Wearing the Vader rig is hot and heavy and after a while it can actually hurt. But it’s so much fun you can’t help but enjoy it.
We spent the first part of our visit at the Children’s Rehabilitation building and that’s where I was Vader. When we moved on to the hospital proper Josh took over as Vader and I snapped pictures for the rest of the group. I must have taken around 120 pictures. Since I don’t feel like captioning 120+ pictures I decided to take some highlights from the day and let you fill in the rest with your imagination.
That's me. He bugged his eyes out for the pic.
Me with a bunch of troopers
(Mark is on the left and James is on the right. I think that's Lance behind us)
I just thought this was a really cool pic. Darth Vader and Darth Maul waiting for the elevator.
We got in the elevator and the doors closed about an inch and a half from my tusks. The elevator stopped at
the next floor down and when the doors opened some poor woman was standing right in front of them
expecting to walk right in. Instead she got a face full of Darth Vader and screamed out loud.
Despite the fact that she freaked out it was really funny. I can only imagine what I would do if the elevator
doors at work opened and there stood Vader with about eight Stormies right behind him.
Classic...wish I would have had a camera :)
This little boy could only communicate through blinking and is legally blind. He wasn't moving or saying and thing
but his mom kept telling me that he was really excited. She was able to tell by the way he blinked his eyes.
I walked over and stroked his arm and chest and she said he really liked it.
This next pic is the highlight of my day. The little boy below is named Nicholas. When I walked into the room I walked over to Nicholas and started talking to him. He answered questions by nodding his head or shaking it and he handed me the pen in his hand. Basically he acted just as you would expect a two year old to act. While I was doing this the nurse behind me was freaking out...all she could say was “Oh my God!“ and “That's amazing!“ The nurse holding Nicholas started to cry a little (you can see it in the pic). I was a bit confused when the nurse to the side (not pictured) pulled me over and told me very excitedly that Nicholas had not spoken or interacted with anyone for around three weeks. She said I was the first person he had shown any interest in as the only other interaction he had had for the past few weeks was to tell people to “go away“. She just kept telling me how amazing it was and then she called me a hero. That's when I pretty much went to Jello in my suit. Its a good thing that I have a mask on in this pic because for the first time at one of these children's hospital gigs I actually broke down. It was brief and no one knew at the time but I really had to struggle to regain some composure. It meant a lot to me because when Molly was in the hospital for nearly a month she reacted in much the same way as Nicholas. She stopped talking all together and would scream at people to get away from her if the got too close to her bed. It was truly awful and I will never forget the drive home from the hospital after that month long stint. I told her we would go and get chicken nuggets (those were her favorite food at that time) still wary of using words she made a screeching noise and then started to giggle. When she started to giggle Trudy and I started to laugh. The she giggled more and we started to laugh and cry at the same time. It was like the clouds parted or something. It felt like someone had taken my girl and that I had just gotten her back. So, needless to say little Nicholas' reaction meant a great deal to me.
Me with Nicholas.
People amaze me. This young woman was in obvious pain when we arrived.
When she saw Vader and Maul she struggled to sit up just so we could get a picture of her (we gave her a Polaroid).
The DSG in the hall at St. Joes. Left to Right:
Back: Robb, Kris, Lancer, Josh (Vader), Mark, Zenis (Mace Windu) and James.
Front: Jen (Mara Jade), Steve (Darth Maul) and Bill.
Josh makes some sick child's day (and his brothers' day too).
I believe this young man's name was Charlie and he obviously was going through chemotherapy. The nurse
was tearing up when we came to see him because she said it was the first time she had seen him smile in a
long time. How awsome is that??? It made me tear up too.
The trauma girls have an obvious crush on Darth Steve :)
Josh greets a young girl.
Assuming the position.
After the hospital visit the DSG headed for Rosie's for some good pub food and even better beer :)
The middle finger means something different in Aurabesh (and if you got that you're a geek).
Well, not exactly the note I was looking to end on but it'll do.
Darth Steve shows me his high degree of respect brotherly love while Josh undresses me with his eyes.
I bought this suit of armor for Halloween. I had always wanted one and was looking for a good excuse to finally break down and get it. Somehow I've ended up meeting some of the coolest people, having some of the best times and most memorable experiences because of it. It is without a doubt some of the best money I have ever spent. I'm just really thankful that I get to give back a little in this particular way. Its very satisfying. End of ramble.
-Neil
posted on Monday, June 20, 2005 11:32 PM
Feedback
6/26/2005 12:06 PM |
Thanks for all that you, and your friends do for kids in the hospital. As a six year old, I had to stay in the K.U. hospital for one of the first open heart surgeries. My father had to return to work. There was no Ronald McDonald House yet then for families. My mother, who was carrying another child, also needed to return to care for my little brother. While there alone, the children's ward had a visitor. Lassie, the beautiful collie dog on TV, came and brought laughter and comfort.
PS- My son Garrison joined a friend at Wal Mart, the Movie opening, and even to the Ihop. There they were given a free meal. Such fun they had.
Thanks again for all you do for kids.
6/26/2005 12:08 PM |
Thanks for all that you, and your friends do for kids in the hospital. As a six year old, I had to stay in the K.U. hospital for one of the first open heart surgeries. My father had to return to work. There was no Ronald McDonald House yet then for families. My mother, who was carrying another child, also needed to return to care for my little brother. While there alone, the children's ward had a visitor. Lassie, the beautiful collie dog on TV, came and brought laughter and comfort.
PS- My son Garrison joined a friend at Wal Mart, the Movie opening, and even to the Ihop. There they were given a free meal. Such fun they had.
Thanks again for all you do for kids.
6/26/2005 2:39 PM |
Thanks for all that you, and your friends do for kids in the hospital. As a six year old, I had to stay in the K.U. hospital for one of the first open heart surgeries. My father had to return to work. There was no Ronald McDonald House yet then for families. My mother, who was carrying another child, also needed to return to care for my little brother. While there alone, the children's ward had a visitor. Lassie, the beautiful collie dog on TV, came and brought laughter and comfort.
PS- My son Garrison joined a friend at Wal Mart, the Movie opening, and even to the Ihop. There they were given a free meal. Such fun they had.
Thanks again for all you do for kids.