Comforting Gifts for Pediatric Patients from One of Their Own
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Curtis Morey returned to Mayo Clinic bearing gifts to support his fellow pediatric patients, who he calls "the strongest people I have met" and "the brightest part of my day."
It's one thing for caregivers to help patients heal. It's another to watch patients return, not for themselves, but in service to others. We've been fortunate enough to bring you a number of these stories. Like when Jodeci Buck, in lieu of gifts for herself for her graduation, asked her friends and family for things she could re-gift to patients at the Mayo Clinic Children's Center. Or when Tasha Schuh gave an inspirational speech at a Mayo symposium crediting being a "former and current Mayo patient" for her renewed outlook: living a purposeful life, choosing to have a positive attitude, and knowing there is hope no matter how dark things get.
Earlier this month, young Curtis Morey came back to Mayo Clinic with a little celebration in his step, much like a previous time he visited. This time, Curtis was here to share gifts of books, blankets, pillows and other items with pediatric patients at Mayo. A few years ago, Curtis, now 17, was diagnosed with medulloblastoma (a type of brain tumor) and was successfully treated at Mayo Clinic. We were there to cover the celebration his mom had arranged around his last day of chemotherapy treatment.
Curtis has not forgotten the difficult times that came with his diagnosis and treatment. In a heartfelt note that accompanied each of the gifts he recently gave out, Curtis writes that it was his family and faith that carried him through the hard times.
He also wrote, "When I come to Mayo, the brightest part of my day is meeting kids like you. The kids in pediatrics are some of the strongest people I have met. I have been so blessed to come here and talk and give out gifts of blankets, books and pillows to people like you. I only wish I could do more." He goes on to offer words of encouragement and strength to his pediatric friends.
Curtis' mom, Deborah, tell us that this visit and the giving of the gifts were part of Curtis' 11th grade Capstone Project. From his note, we gather that the gifts were made possible by donations from his friends and family.
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