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12 August 2011
The school year is almost upon us again. But for some families with sick children, school is not on the agenda. The hospital room becomes their classroom. To help parents and kids through this time one local hospital has a radio station. From the KUHF NewsLab Edel Howlin went to see just how much difference a little music can make.
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“What is up? What is up? What is up yall?”
Its just another normal Tuesday night at Radio Lollipop on the 16th floor of Texas Childrens Hospital. Jason Williams or Jam Master Jay takes to the mike to entertain the kids in their rooms, but only after hes rounded up the other volunteers to scatter them to the floor with their baskets overflowing with crafts and glitter.
“Head em up and move em out! Yeehaw!!”
The craft depends on the theme of the night. Retired computer specialist Myrna Fisch aka Queen Lollie gets to decide this theme. Shes been running the station for the last five years.
“This week is farms. We have a craft that goes with that and tonight were doing little pigs with curly little tails. Our song of the day is Old McDonald Had a Farm.”
Fischs favorite thing about Radio Lollipop is that it allows kids to just be kids not to be known as their disease, or as the sick kid. Five-year-old Matthew has come several floors up to join the Radio Lollipop crew. Last year, he learned he had a soft solid tumor of the abdomen, spine and lungs. When he first came to TCH, having a chance to sing on air was the only thing that would get him out of his room. And as he joins the other kids in the station that evening with a smile on his face. Its obvious his spirits are automatically lifted.
“Which kind of pool can you not swim in?”
“I dont know which kind of pool can you not swim in.”
“A car pool!!”
“Now kick, now kick ..”
To round off a typical Tuesday night at the station, volunteers, patients and parents dance to the Cupid Shuffle in the hallway in front of the radio station. Everyone is covered in glitter and you can spot the volunteers because of the silly hats they wear.
One volunteer is Debbie-Prout-Smith or Dingy Debbie. She is preparing the crafts for Wednesday and Thursday nights shows which air right after dinner. And even though its not always easy, she cant imagine not having Radio Lollipop in her life.
“Ive seen some kids grow up here and move on, Ive also seen some kids pass away but the joy that we are able to bring to them every night that were here is worth it.”
Debbie points out a patient shes known for many years.
Brandi-Dawn Barger came to TCH when she was 18 because of a deteriorating colon.
Ulcerative Colitis claimed her brothers life and kept her hospitalized for three and half years. She went through dozens of surgeries, fell into a coma and coded nearly ten times.
Now at age 21, she just finished her 67th and hopefully final surgery. Throughout her time in the hospital, Radio Lollipop has been her favorite escape.
“But I know these kids have no idea whats going on and theyre terrified of this place. But coming up here, they feel like they can enjoy themselves and play, and I think its wonderful.”
“Were signin off this is Jam Master Jay saying good night; we love you guys; we are back tomorrow at the same time.”
As Jam Master Jay winds things down and the kids filter out of the studio, he hands his mike over to Brandi-Dawn, who sings a song she wrote to finish out another successful evening at Radio Lollipop.
(Thanks and acknowledgements to Edel Howlin from the KUHF Newslab)
