Ms. Wheelchair California, Alyson Roth, and First Runner Up, Jennifer Kumiyama visited children who were patients at CHOC this afternoon. What a difficult but rewarding day!There were many children who were admitted into CHOC for various reasons, but probably the hardest was visiting the children on the 3rd floor who have cancer. Cancer does not have an age limit and is not gender specific. It attacks any and all people, and many times without warning. The youngest person they met was only 18 months old, and she was diagnosed at 9 months old. Her grandmother stays with her during the day while mom and dad work, dad comes to stay with her in the evenings, and mom stays with her during the weekends. Words don't express the amount of sympathy that goes out to these families who endure so much heartache, grief, and pain for their children.
One of the first patients Alyson and Jennifer met was an 8 year old girl named Kayla. She was busy painting with her mother and grandmother, but quickly turned to playing a version of Monopoly called "Dog-opoly." Supposedly, she always wins! Below is a picture of her with Alyson (left) and Jennifer (right).
Finally, they met a patient who had just been admitted. It was her first day. The 12 year old, Jennifer, seemed nervous as she sat in her hospital bed with her 14 year old sister sitting next to her. Trying to put yourself in her shoes was almost mind-blowing. One can only imagine if you've never experienced the devastating effect of cancer.
May God be with and comfort the patients, family members, and friends of each of these little angels. Each are already survivors.
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