DMN Feature Article
Saturday, December 2, 2006
Dallas: Children's center patients will ride in downtown event today
By MIKKI KIRBY / Special Contributor to The Dallas Morning News
Christopher Randall knows he is sick. He just doesn't act like it.
Diagnosed with sickle cell disease as an infant, Christopher takes a different approach to life than the average 8-year-old.
"He's knows he's different, so he takes the time to befriend others who are different," said his mother, Kenna Bowers. "But he won't tell you he's sick."
Christopher doesn't have to announce his illness to get attention, Ms. Bowers said. His vivacious personality does the job.
More than 350,000 people are expected to get a firsthand glimpse of Christopher showing off his smile today. He was chosen, along with other Children's Medical Center Dallas patients, to ride in the annual Neiman Marcus Adolphus Children's Parade in downtown Dallas.
"I think the neatest thing is my friends will see me," he said. "I told them I'm going to be on TV, but they don't believe me."
Bowers family members in Arkansas will get to share the experience because a station there plans to air the parade.
Children are chosen through a selection process that includes their success in treatment. It's a way to celebrate how far they have come, even when their illness is not curable, said Ellen Hollon, director of child life/child development at Children's.
"Riding in the parade makes them feel special," said Shirley Miller of Children's sickle cell outreach program. "It shows them that something good can come of [their illness]."
Christopher has suffered extensively from his illness. Sickle cell is an inherited disorder that causes red blood cells to become sickle- or crescent-shaped, often sticking in blood vessels. Tissue damage, severe recurrent pain, strokes and organ damage can result.
Six-year-old Garland resident Kennedy Wilson, who also has sickle cell, will ride alongside Christopher.
The two will be bundled in royal blue sweat suits and Santa hats to keep warm. Sickle cell patients often have adverse reactions to chilly temperatures.
While some patients have fatal complications from the disease, most can manage it.
"Not every kid is impacted by the disease in the same way," said Ms. Miller, who was diagnosed with sickle cell disease as a child. Now in her 50s, doctors predicted Ms. Miller wouldn't live past 30.
Educating the people in Christopher's life has been beneficial in helping him manage his illness. Teachers are given information at the beginning of the school year, and Christopher has been taught to treat himself with medication and observe the warning signs of infection.
"He knows his limitations, and he'll tell me, 'Mama I can do it,' and I know he can," Ms. Bowers said. "He amazes me. He takes it like a soldier."
Mikki Kirby is a Dallas freelance writer.
Saturday, December 2, 2006
Dallas: Children's center patients will ride in downtown event today
By MIKKI KIRBY / Special Contributor to The Dallas Morning News
Christopher Randall knows he is sick. He just doesn't act like it.
Diagnosed with sickle cell disease as an infant, Christopher takes a different approach to life than the average 8-year-old.
"He's knows he's different, so he takes the time to befriend others who are different," said his mother, Kenna Bowers. "But he won't tell you he's sick."
Christopher doesn't have to announce his illness to get attention, Ms. Bowers said. His vivacious personality does the job.
More than 350,000 people are expected to get a firsthand glimpse of Christopher showing off his smile today. He was chosen, along with other Children's Medical Center Dallas patients, to ride in the annual Neiman Marcus Adolphus Children's Parade in downtown Dallas.
"I think the neatest thing is my friends will see me," he said. "I told them I'm going to be on TV, but they don't believe me."
Bowers family members in Arkansas will get to share the experience because a station there plans to air the parade.
Children are chosen through a selection process that includes their success in treatment. It's a way to celebrate how far they have come, even when their illness is not curable, said Ellen Hollon, director of child life/child development at Children's.
"Riding in the parade makes them feel special," said Shirley Miller of Children's sickle cell outreach program. "It shows them that something good can come of [their illness]."
Christopher has suffered extensively from his illness. Sickle cell is an inherited disorder that causes red blood cells to become sickle- or crescent-shaped, often sticking in blood vessels. Tissue damage, severe recurrent pain, strokes and organ damage can result.
Six-year-old Garland resident Kennedy Wilson, who also has sickle cell, will ride alongside Christopher.
The two will be bundled in royal blue sweat suits and Santa hats to keep warm. Sickle cell patients often have adverse reactions to chilly temperatures.
While some patients have fatal complications from the disease, most can manage it.
"Not every kid is impacted by the disease in the same way," said Ms. Miller, who was diagnosed with sickle cell disease as a child. Now in her 50s, doctors predicted Ms. Miller wouldn't live past 30.
Educating the people in Christopher's life has been beneficial in helping him manage his illness. Teachers are given information at the beginning of the school year, and Christopher has been taught to treat himself with medication and observe the warning signs of infection.
"He knows his limitations, and he'll tell me, 'Mama I can do it,' and I know he can," Ms. Bowers said. "He amazes me. He takes it like a soldier."
Mikki Kirby is a Dallas freelance writer.
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