Can be found here: CT Champion Blog I will be updating here and there with the same information.
You can also view her champion page: Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals CT Champion or all the champions: Children’s Miracle Network Champions
Olivia was invited to the medical center to talk in front of the CT Costco employees today. They had a birthday party, celebrating the Medical Center’s Sweet 16. Olivia did a great job sharing her story to the 10 Costco employees. We then had the pleasure of a tour of the PICU (holy moly, MEMORIES). I was quite uncomfortable to be honest, because it brought EVERYTHING BACK for me. Olivia was most fascinated by the family suites, which she had never seen before ;).
I mentioned to the PICU staff that Olivia had stayed with them 3 times, and they were THRILLED to find out she was a patient of Dr Mello’s.
Interesting tidbit about Connecticut Children’s – they filter the air 4 times as often as a “regular” hospital. And that’s why it never smells “like a hospital”.
We stopped in to see Felice Heller (LOVE HER). It was so great to be able to visit under good circumstances.
And … it’s OFFICIALLY official!
Connecticut Children’s Medical Center press release
The picture above is her “Champion” picture taken by Auntie (Heidi) this past November.
We were invited to the Welcome Home dinner for the Rock Cats. It was held at the New Britain Elks Club.
We arrived and asked for Amy, who was our contact for both evenings.
Rocky the mascot was hysterical. He came over, grabbed my camera, took pics of Arnie, Olivia and I and then posed for pics with Olivia. He took someone’s napkin and polished Arnie’s head with it and then PUT THE NAPKIN BACK! He motioned that he was also bald. He took over my camera later in the evening and I found some crazy shots on there!
We were seated at table 15, with the coach’s wife, their two sons, the “voice of the Rock Cats” son, Amy and Bobby, a relief pitcher for the Rock Cats.
Bobby was in a word, AMAZING. He sat and talked to Arnie about baseball. He warmed Olivia up, asking her what she liked and what she didn’t. He really was great. He even offered to throw the ball around with her the next night before she threw out the first pitch. Truly a LOVE.
Dinner was salad, roast beef, corn and potatoes.
Livvy and I both spoke after dinner and thanked the Rockcats for all that they do for Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.