Today we were able to meet with the Director of the PCICU and the Manager of the Cardiac Floor on 7A at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. They communicated to us some equipment needs they have, mainly baby swings and electronic devices. We experienced the lack of available swings first hand while in the hospital with our son, Calvin. There were several days we requested a swing and never got one for him to get out of bed and play. When we did finally get a swing for him down in the PCICU, his scrawny little 4 month old body bent the swing all the way back to the floor. Calvin looked at us like we had lost our minds for putting him in it. This is the problem we would like to fix.
In January we launched our “Swing into the New Year” campaign to collect baby swings and other needed items for the kids on the cardiac units. So far we have collected 4 swings, 3 bouncy seats, and several mobiles. To finish out the campaign we would like to collect 8 more Mamaroo swings that have easy zip off covers for cleaning and 8 Kindle Fire tablets. The Director of the PCICU, John David, told us that often older children are bored and looking to play games, read books, and pass the time like normal children. Often the nurses end up bringing personal tablets from home for their patients to use, or the kids (if they are able) sit at the nurses station to play on the computer if one is available. Many of the theses children have parents who have to return to work during their child’s long hospital stay. These kids are hungry for some stimulation outside of the beeping machines and white walls of their rooms.
This is where you come in: from now until the end of March we will be collecting these items. Would you go to our amazon wish list and select and item to send to these kids? Maybe select a tablet and donate it in honor of your heart warrior or healthy child. Or select a swing – you can even split the cost with a friend and donate together! These small acts make a huge difference to a child in the hospital. Right now we are doing everything we can to push research to the limits, but in the mean time jump in and help us brighten the smile of a heart warrior with your gift!