Staying in the hospital for a prolonged amount of time isn’t easy, especially for children. That’s why Texas Children’s and a variety of community partners are constantly looking for ways to make the hospital a warm, welcoming, fun environment for patients and their families.
Texas Children’s most recent endeavor included a gift of 10 new computers outfitted with the latest gaming technology. The generous donation was made by CDW, a leading multi-brand technology solutions provider, in partnership with the Astros Golf Foundation.
Members from both organizations announced the gift on December 16 in the Child Life Zone, a state-of-the-art, therapeutic play area where patients and their families can escape from the day-to-day hardships of their hospital stay.
“CDW is excited to be here today and is appreciative of the opportunity of this sponsorship,” said CDW Area Sales Director Shaun O’Rourke. “We hope it will make a positive impact on the people you serve.
Brian White, sales director with the Astros Golf Foundation, said his organization facilitated the partnership between CDW and Texas Children’s, and was happy to do so.
“We are thrilled to be able to partner two great groups for such a good cause,” White said.
Paige Schulz, assistant vice president of Clinical Support & Research Administration at Texas Children’s, thanked the foundation and CDW for their support and assured them that patients and their family members will benefit from their generosity
Based on the reaction of the first group of patients invited to test out the computers, Schulz’s is right.
Carla Vongphackdy said her 11-year-old daughter Jayla traveled to Texas Children’s about a week ago from Baton Rouge and aren’t sure when they will be able to head back home.
“It’s been stressful,” Carla said. “Being in the hospital for extended period of time isn’t a lot of fun.”
So, when a representative from Child Life asked Jayla if she would like to come to The Zone and try out some new computers and gaming software, she immediately said yes.
Jayla and her twin brother play games on the computer a lot at home, Carla said. The game she played Monday – Rocket League – was one they’d been hoping to try out.
“Her brother is going to be pretty jealous,” Carla said. “I’m just happy she’s enjoying herself.”
Audrey Crawford, the grandmother of 8-year-old Ryland Griffith, said she is so appreciative for the distractions Texas Children’s has provided her grandson during his more than three-week stay at the hospital.
“I couldn’t have ask for a better place for him to be,” she said. “Everyone has been great.”
