by Renee Dominguez
Parent and Family Partners Council member

Amazing, inspiring, history making, what other words can describe yesterday’s grand opening of the new Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital?

Such a long awaited and highly anticipated day has finally come and gone and we were so thrilled to play a part in the event. Yes it was HOT and that was tough, particularly for some of the more medically fragile children in our group. But what a testimonial that even those families felt it was important to be present on such a historic occasion.  We all have so much vested in this new hospital. This is the realization of the hours we spent at our children’s bedsides, learning the hard way what worked and what frustrated us as a family and as a patient.

As I walked to the entrance of the new hospital I reflected on what my life as a mother would have been like without the services of Le Bonheur. Would one of the other local hospital’s been able to save Grant’s life when he was just 18 months old? Do any of the other hospitals have the top notch Neurosciences unit that has been such a life line for us with William? Would Phillip remember his hospital stay with such good memories if it had been somewhere else?

I don’t know what kind of care my boys would have received at one of the other hospitals, I only know that LeBonheur has been a blessing to our family. The people of LeBonheur has kept my family whole over these past 10 years that we have been visiting them. The thought that the new facility will allow other families to receive an even higher level of care is so uplifting.

We were truly blessed to participate in the grand opening. I will never forget seeing William pull down that ribbon opening the very doors that we will continue to walk through as we try to control his epilepsy. We are so thankful for the chance to have input in the plans, services and design of the new facility. It surpassed our expectations. My boys were thrilled to know that they were among the crowd that welcomed the new hospital. They will be talking about this for years.

This was literally a once in a lifetime opportunity and it will never be forgotten.

About the author:  Renee is the mother of three boys and has been an active member of the Family Partners Council for several years now.  She has been active in Project DOCC and other family centered care improvements.  Most recently, she helped celebrate the grand opening of the new Le Bonheur, and was a participant in the parade.