This quote came from St. Louis Cardinals Manager and Ranken Jordan Board Member Mike Matheny during his speech at Ranken Jordan's recent Crystal Ball Gala. During the night, speeches from CEO Lauri Tanner, Chief Medial Officer Dr. Nick Holekamp, and Mike, were all very moving, touching, and inspirational. The speeches were accompanied by a slideshow of pictures of kids at Ranken Jordan as well as a video of the night's guest of honor, Tracy McMahon. On this special night the ballroom at the Ritz-Carlton in Clayton, Missouri, was filled with hundreds of giving people with one shared passion: helping medically complex children complete the journey from hospital to home.
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| Mike Matheny & Tracy McMahon |
In a way that only he can, Dr. Holekamp shared the story of how Tracy came to Ranken Jordan following a horrific automobile accident. This accident claimed the life of Tracy's father and given the injuries, should have taken Tracy's as well. Fortunately it did not. The accident left Tracy many injuries, including a torn aorta and spinal cord injury that left him unable to walk, that he attacked with an incredible determination. While at Ranken Jordan Tracy always joined us for golf and because of his background playing hockey quickly picked up the game. I watched in awe as Tracy would hit driver after driver long and straight only to be followed by a display of finesse with the wedge that might give Phil Mickelson a challenge! Before Ranken Jordan Tracy had never touched a golf club yet in a few short weeks he looked like he had been playing his entire life. From the short time I spent with Tracy in the golf clinics I developed a tremendous amount of respect and admiration for this young man. However that respect and admiration grew by leaps and bounds when I saw the video shown during the Gala. In that video they showed what can happen when you combine a hard-working patient with dogged determination and a group of medical professionals and therapists who are innovative, creative, passionate, and the best in the business. When those things are combined you watch a young man who would never walk again get out of his wheelchair and walk.
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| Tracy getting ready to launch another tee shot with his U.S. Kids Golf driver |
A couple of days after the Gala I received Ranken Jordan's annual report in the mail. It is not just financial statements and numbers that all seem to run together on the pages. Rather it contains stories of patients, volunteers, and a letter from Lauri Tanner. Her letter put an exclamation point on the Gala, exactly what it is that Ranken Jordan does, and why the facility is so critically important. After re-reading it for about the 10th time I asked for, and received, her permission to post a portion of it on this blog:
"When you see a child for the first time after coming out of a coma, it's magical. When you see a preemie smile who has had to face obstacles in a few short months that most people won't face in the course of a lifetime, it's transformative.
One of our breakthrough understandings at Ranken Jordan is this: Smiling is healing.
As a Pediatric Bridge Hospital, we take care of kids who face the most complex medical challenges imaginable in their journeys from acute care to home. Building these bridges that will get kids home to their families requires a passionately dedicated team along with technology to construct something entirely new and tailored to each child's situation.
Yet for these kids, as for all children, the opportunity to learn and play and experience love, curiosity, delight, and laughter, helps them grow and thrive to reach their unique potential.
By getting kids out of bed and back to being kids, our Care Beyond the Bedside model makes more recovery possible. The kids' smiles are both a result of healing and a catalyst for more as they continue their journeys home and beyond to their best lives with their families.
Ranken Jordan has a profound presence in people's lives regardless of their connection. If you spend any time at all here, it will change your life.
It's about giving hope to kids and families who feel hope is lost.
It's about the power of love and connection.
It's about being able to do impossible things.
It's about living when you think your life is over.
People tell me all the time they come for a tour and leave different people."
Every word Lauri wrote is 100% accurate. Those of you who have been there understand the healing powers and magic contained in every smile.
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