Gracie Goes to CHOC Gala and Fundraiser, Feels Like Cinderella

On May 7, I was so honored to be a special guest at the CHOC Glass Slipper Guild's 2011 Gala.  

The doctor who performed my brain surgery is Dr. Michael Muhonen at CHOC. At my last visit in February, he asked me if I would like to speak at the CHOC fundraiser for the CHOC Neuroscience Center. 

CHOC is building a whole new tower to help more kids get better. Four other children were asked to speak. I was so excited to be asked to be included, I even wrote a poem.  

We met at Dr. Muhonen's office and were picked up in a limo.  I got to meet the other kids. They were really nice. They were also survivors like me, but we all had different kinds of brain problems. They were all older than me, and it was nice to be around them, since we all had gone through similar things.  

Dr. Muhonen rode with us in the limo, and we played Name That Tune and won prizes on the way. We also got a cool gift bag from Larry and Donna Thacker. They were so nice, and they are big supporters of CHOC. 

When we got there, we walked in, and there was a red carpet, and people took our pictures like paparazzi! 

I really felt like Cinderella at the Glass Slipper Ball!  It was fun to feel so important.   We sat in a special area with Dr. Muhonen and Dr. Louden and their wives.  I  helped announce part of the auction, and the auctioneer said that I did a good job.  There were some celebrities there, and we got to meet them. They were very nice and took pictures with us. After the auction, we all got up to speak. 

Dr. Muhonen introduced each kid and told a little bit about what had happened to us.  We then got a chance to speak about what CHOC meant to us. I decided to write a poem about CHOC.  I got to read it last.    

THE GIFT OF GIVING  

A parent gives their child life.  

A child gives their love.  

A doctor gives their patient care,  

With love and kindness Dr. Muhonen is always there.  

And even in my darkest time.  

I felt the gift that eased my mind.  

A place where we are all the same.  

We are all special children, but with different names.  

And even though my life has changed.  

CHOC was the place that eased my pain.  

I know now it is my time to give.  

Because CHOC gave me back my life to live.      

The Glass Slipper raised almost $320,000.00 that night.  I will never be able to thank Dr. Muhonen enough for saving my life.  If this is what I can do to help him and CHOC, I will always be there.

This night was unforgettable, and I was so proud to be a part of it.  

To learn more about the Glass Slipper Guild  go to chocglassslipperguild.com/    

Also, there is a video of the event at  chocglassslipperguild.com/2011.php.  

You can hear me recite my poem at the beginning!