Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Eric's Story

Eric
Age 12
Mercy Children's Hospital
Spina Bifida

Always up for a challenge, Eric loves skateboarding, golfing and water skiing—activities that might seem impossible for someone who is paralyzed from the knee down. “He doesn’t know the word ‘can’t’ and will attempt to do anything,” says his mom.

Eric has had 20 operations, starting with the closure of his spinal cord when he was just 2 hours old. Born with spina bifida and a clubbed foot, Mercy Children’s Hospital has become like a second home to him.

Eric is an eternal optimist and enjoys serving others, even opening doors for them. Whenever he sees someone else in a wheelchair, he challenges them to race against his sporty wheelchair – custom racing flames lining the back of the seat, red wheels and lights. He’s found the elderly really get a kick out of his enthusiasm, and his performances of his best wheelchair tricks are sure to draw a smile.

Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Champions

Champions is a Children's Miracle Network Hospitals program that brings attention to the important work being done at its 170 children’s hospitals. It does this by honoring 54 remarkable kids who have faced severe medical challenges, and helping them tell their stories.

The Champions program designates a child in every state who has bravely battled a serious injury or illness. The Champions represent the 17 million children treated at Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals every year. The 2012 Champions have dealt with a wide variety of injuries and illnesses including genetic diseases, organ transplants and traumas, as well as various types of cancer.

The Champions travel for a week in September, first to Washington, D.C., where they traditionally meet with their state representatives on Capitol Hill and visit the White House. They then take a private chartered flight, provided by Delta Air Lines, to Orlando, Fla. While there, Champions meet Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals corporate partners, hospital representatives and media partners. These groups  convene to celebrate a year of medical miracles during the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Celebration event at Walt Disney World Resort.