As the mind explores, the body heals

Young patients at L.A. children's hospital face difficult recoveries made a little easier by the gift of books

A slew of stuffed animals comforted Erika McAllister during her recovery from spinal fusion surgery. Photo courtesy of Rev. Pat McAllister

In reality, life is a road heavily travelled—and you never know whom you might meet along the way.

A recent Facebook ad featuring one of my books attracted the attention of a dad in California, whose daughter Erika underwent spinal fusion surgery thirteen years ago at the acclaimed Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. The dad brought to my attention that the kids who undergo this kind of surgery require weeks of recovery during which they are mostly immobilized.

“The head nurse told me that the kids really love and devour books during their initial 30-day recovery period after surgery,” Rev. Pat McAllister said.

Of course, I was more than happy to donate a paperback copy of Do You Believe in Magic? to the hospital in hopes of helping a future patient pass the time—and maybe experience a few moments of joy during this extremely distressing period in their lives.

Rev. McAllister has spent the past decade providing his own version of comfort and entertainment to the hospital’s young patients.

“My daughter Erika was allowed to take a new teddy bear I had bought her into the operating room,” Rev. McAllister said. “And it meant a lot to her. A year later, I proposed to her surgeon and head nurse what I came to call ‘Project Teddy Bear.’ Every kid heading into that surgery at that hospital was given a new plush stuffed animal—a teddy bear, or a dog, cat, fox, even a unicorn—which I supplied. The hospital accepted my proposal, and so I’ve been doing this the last 12 years. More recently, I came up with the idea of sending books for their recovery, so now we call it ‘Project Teddy Bear & Book.’ ”

Doctors and staff at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles hold up stuffed animals provided to young patients during their recovery from surgery. Photo courtesy of Rev. Pat McAllister

Regardless of the patient’s age, spinal fusion surgery is a serious matter. The metal rods and cross pieces will remain in their back, affixed to their spines, for the rest of their lives. Rev. McAllister said doctors have told her that three percent of spinal fusion patients come out of surgery partially paralyzed for life, and that a small minority of patients do not survive for more than three years.

“Dr. David Skaggs said to Erika at her appointment before scheduling the surgery that this is her ‘final decision day.’ So you decide today, now, whether we are going ahead with the surgery. Mom and Dad don't get a vote."

The McAllisters were one of the lucky ones.

“A year after her surgery, Erika made the soccer team at her high school,” Rev. McAllister said. “And then a year after that she earned her black belt in Tae Kwon Do, though she can't do jumping or flying kicks as they are too jarring due to the rods in her back. Today, Erika is married and lives in another state with her truly wonderful husband.”

Rev. McAllister told me that Do You Believe in Magic? will be given to a boy or girl between the ages of 13 and 17. I can only hope that it will give him or her some relief—and maybe even a smile or two.

I’m not affiliated with Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, so this is not a plea for donations. But if any authors out there would like to donate one of their own books, please contact me at jimmelvin57@gmail.com and I can connect you with the hospital.

If you’re interested, you can learn more about my teen fantasy adventure series HERE.