...I nominate Kristy Connelly for her outstanding display of nursing skills, incredible emotional support, and impressive singing ability.

My son has been battling Stage IV Neuroblastoma since January. In May, he has a paraspinal mass removed. During his recovery he was in a great deal of pain. We asked Music Therapy to come by, and unfortunately, on this day, they were unable to calm him down. Nurse Kristy came into our room and sang Hakuna Matata from the Lion King. She remembered the Lion King is one of his favorite movies. After she finished singing, she imitated Timon and Pumbaa and performed some pretty fantastic dance moves.

A few weeks later we were back in the hospital because of an infection. Doctors noticed my son's pupils were two difference sizes and suspected a tumor pressing on his optic nerve. Some of the tests they ordered required my son to be held still while medical instruments were inserted in his eyes. Kristy was so calming and sweet to him throughout this ordeal. I was scared and crying, and Kristy helped comfort my son as well as me.

Kristy has helped me realize that no matter what the outcome is, we will get through this tough time together because the nurses who care for my son have become our family.