T was under our care for most of his life. He was hospitalized in the Infant/Toddler unit for 546 days. He is so incredibly special to everyone who met him. Despite having a genetic condition that left him blind, deaf and G-tube dependent, he sure knows love and how to show love. He smiles, cries, has good days and bad days just like everyone else.
T had many primary nurses who loved him so much, but Shirley Graham made a special connection with him. She loves him like one of her own. She made sure he was always clean and well cared for, managed his care plan well and advocated for him in ways that no one else could. T was in DCS custody so Mrs. Shirley really was like family to him. When we found placement out of state in a long-term care facility, Mrs. Shirley made him a special book explaining every aspect of his care from his point of view. It explained when his hand splints needed to come on and off, how to bathe him, how to best care for his trach and G-tube, his likes and dislikes, how to comfort him and pictures of him with people who love him.
Mrs. Shirley went above and beyond to care for T and to make an impact on his stay at Le Bonheur. We know that T will miss Mrs. Shirley as much as she will miss him.