July 20, 2016 ~ Very Special Visitors!

This weekend and today were a WIN for us where mental health/raising spirits are concerned!  For those of you that know Cole (or for those that don't) he is a football fanatic..well, sports fanatic I should say, but football is his passion. 

This past weekend we had the visit from the KU Football team who brought Cole some awesome gifts such as a REAL game helmet (our favorite one) and a REAL game jersey. He thought it was so cool. I think his wildcat dad may have dressed up while we were sleeping, but he says he didn't. 😊  

Then, we got a visit from the Heeney family who brought Cole special gifts from our friend Ben Heeney of the Raiders. Ben sent Cole some special gifts during our last stay, and this time he sent him a Raiders hat, autographed game gloves and actual game shoes all from "a real football game" as Cole said, and Ben handwrote Cole a letter (that made me cry of course). 

Yesterday the Child Life group here brought a KC Royals backsack gift with several things in it including an autographed hat by Alex Gordan. They know Cole is a sports fan, and an athlete himself of course 😊, so they have also brought several sports-related things for us to use for his rewards chart/prize box so he's looked forward to earning them. The hospital Child Life group is fantastic here.

Today we had not one, but TWO, KC Chiefs players visit, how awesome!  Thanks to a friend that coordinated, we got a visit from wide receiver Chris Conley, who brought an autographed football by some of the players for Cole. So cool!  Coincidentally, there was also a visit to the HEMOC floor by wide receiver Rod Streater.  Rod came to Cole's room to specially visit him, and he brought him one of his Team Streater shirts that he autographed. Rod has an foundation for the cancer fight. It's so incredible to see these athletes giving back and making special visits to kids who just idolize them.  

And as you can see, Cole even let me take pictures of the visits! Wow!  He even smiled which was so refreshing to see.  It warmed our hearts to see him have these moments of happiness. While he didn't talk much to anyone, he was definitely thrilled to see everyone that's come.  He had me make a display shrine of all his special gifts. I had to carefully place each item so that he can see all of them and none are blocking the others.  This tells you how happy it made him.  ANYTHING that makes him happy we will take!

We are just so blessed to have the amazing support network that we have. We've had other special gifts and visitors from some great, caring people. We thank you ALL!!