Bowen lives with his parents and older brother. When you meet him, you will instantly recognize that he is filled with curiosity about the world around him. He has an endearing playfulness and incredible imagination. You may get to join him in a pirate adventure or battling dragons as a knight. In October 2008, Bowen was faced with a different kind of battle. He was trapped in the laundry room of his family’s home when a gas can ignited and caused an explosion. Bowen experienced burns over 85% of his body. His battle for survival was filled with obstacles including renal failure, inhalation injury resulting in a tracheotomy, respiratory failure, vision impairment, amputations of his fingers and several episodes of his heart stopping to recognize a few. After six months of hospitalization for acute care, and then extensive therapy and medical care at home, Bowen has overcome these obstacles and is adapting to his body forever changed from the burns. Bowen continues to need therapy and follow up care. He has returned for another hospital admission for reconstructive surgery, as he will likely need as he continues to grow. Bowen still loves to pretend and maintains his vivid imagination. He recently started preschool which he enjoys. Everyday he is finding ways to adapt to his amputations to do all of the things he loves. We find him inspiring and deserving of this Hero award!

Kids Wish Network is a national children’s charity dedicated to infusing hope, creating happy memories and improving the quality of life for children in crisis. They accomplish this mission through several programs, including granting the wishes of children suffering from life-threatening illnesses.

When a child from Chattanooga asked to have a wish granted, the Kids Wish Network Wish Funding team began calling around the city, seeking someone to step up to the plate and help grant the child’s wish. That’s where International Brotherhood of Police Officers Local 673 came in.

After days of calling and asking for help from many different local organizations, Wish Funding Specialist Doris found herself talking to Detective Phil Grubb of the Chattanooga Police Department. He told her that he was the president of the local chapter of the International Brotherhood of Police Officers and that he would be honored to bring up the matter to his organization.

“They didn’t even finish reading the email before they were making motions to pay for the whole wish,” said Detective Grubb. “We’ve not donated to Kids Wish Network before, but we’ve tried to help other children in the area before…there are little occasions that we help with. We’re very aggressive in helping the community.”

With the help of the International Brotherhood of Police Officers Local 673, the whole cost of the wish was covered. Once the wish was granted, Detective Grubb and his fellow officers decided to put out a challenge to the other fraternal police organizations in the area to sponsor more wishes.

“She [the wish child] is not the only one who needs help,” said Detective Grubb. “If we could do it, we’ll light the fire under everyone to help out.”

Now he’s just waiting for someone to accept that challenge and help make more dreams come true.

To sponsor a child’s wish or to nominate a child who is suffering from a life-threatening illness and may be in need of Kids Wish Network’s wish granting services, call 727 937-3600 or toll free 888 918-9004. For more information on Kids Wish Network, visit their website at www.kidswishnetwork.org

Alex was a patient for 20 days and during this time he was subjected to numerous procedures. Although initially Alex came in with a ruptured appendix, had had surgery and then developed abscesses. He had a 2nd surgery to drain the abscesses and a few days later he developed a bowel obstruction for which he returned to surgery for the 3rd time. Needless to say this was stressful and unsettling for a young patient. Despite the multiple circumstances Alex had to endure, he was cooperative, verbalized his need appropriately and communicated very well with staff. That is why he is our model patient and our Hero of the Month!

I met April at the beginning of the week and was drawn to her. She was sweet, polite and very interactive with the staff, but spent majority of her time alone in her room. She is currently in the PICU due to having mycoplasma pneumonia. It is especially severe as she has suffered from asthma her entire life.

Ashley has suffered on and off abuse from different caregivers and because of it she has jumped from family member to family member. However, she is still talkative and open with others when it is an appropriate time to share. She keeps an optimistic outlook on life and has developed healthy coping mechanisms to get through.

As Hero of the Month, April is now able to believe that there is good in the world, that people do get breaks, that dreams are possible and that she is wonderful person and a Hero!

Before Clare was admitted to the hospital, she was an active young lady who enjoyed participating in various activities with her friends. Upon coming to the ER for high fevers, Clare was diagnosed with Rhabdomyolysis. The rapid breakdown of muscle can cause serious damage to the kidneys, which can result in acute kidney failure. This diagnosis changed this active young lady’s life instantly. For two weeks, Clare had to remain in the hospital to receive fluids that would help to lover the levels of CPK in her bloodstream. These fluids were essential to stopping the breakdown of the muscle and preventing damage to her kidneys. One precaution that had to be taken during Clare’s hospital stay was that she couldn’t put any weight or pressure on her muscles. This meant that she was confined to a wheelchair when she wanted to get out of bed. Throughout her time at the hospital, she remained upbeat and positive. She always had a smile on her face and never complained about her circumstance. For most patients her age, this experience would have been a difficult one to cope with. She was forced to depend on others to accomplish daily tasks that she was always able to do on her own before. Because of her positive attitude, Clare was an inspirations to the staff that had the opportunity to take care of her during those two weeks.

We have definitely found our pot of gold at the end of the rainbow with Jared. Born “normal”, two years ago he had encephalitis causing him to go from a regular active three year old to a boy now in a wheelchair with hemiplegia on the right side. Jared has been coming to the hospital for both speech and physical therapy. His therapists beam with pride when they talk about how hard he works in his sessions and how he takes the home exercise program so seriously that he is making huge progress. He has yet to complain about his condition and instead give you a sweet lopsided smile and keeps on trying!

Erin comes from a family with an abusive father. For many years, her mother and her have been on the streets with no where to go, living place to place and in shelters, due to the fact that he mother keeps giving her father chance after chance. Despite it all her mom has left him for good and they are making it on their own. After all Erin has been through, she still is a very well rounded child who excels academically.

Jeremy is a five year old who has been dealing with Henoch-Schonlein Purpura. This is a chronic condition that Jeremy has had to deal with but he is so brave and cooperative. He always has a smile on his face and is our Hero of the Month!

David is a young man learning to cope with the effects of abuse. Though he is sometimes angry about it, he tries his best to keep his head high and have a positive outlook. David is a brave young man who is not going to let the troubles he has faced in the past keep him from realizing his dreams in the future. He is a Hero who is working to make his future brighter despite the darkness in his past

Keara has been a patient in the hospital for a month and has endured one of the most difficult procedures some of our patients have to go through. She has been in a Halo traction for the entire time and has breezed through the whole ordeal with no complaints. Though she has had some good days and bad days, she has been an inspiration to all of the patients who have had the opportunity to meet her. She always has a smile on her face and is ready and willing to participate in all the activities provided by the hospital. We are very impressed with the attitude and eagerness to accomplish her goals.