My Family’s Experience at Primary Children’s
Around 11 years ago, my family was blessed with an extra special soul. When my brother, Dalton, was born, there were no tell-tale outward signs that his life would be different than most. But after several days of struggling to try to get him to eat, the nurse noticed something. Dalton had a soft cleft palate. This opened up a whirlwind of questions and things to come.
Since that day, Dalton has had around 5 surgeries and has been to Primary Children’s more times than we can count. He has a syndrome called q22 deletion syndrome. It is caused by a small portion of the 22nd chromosome missing.
Dalton is now a proud 5th grader who loves video games and playing with friends. Reading and story problems are hard in school, but you have never seen a better mathematician! He loves the weather and wants to be a weatherman when he grows up. In fact, he gave our family a little lesson the other day on how someone can tell if it is raining. There are 3 simple steps:
- If you go outside and the ground is wet it’s raining.
- If you go outside, place your hand palm up and it gets wet it’s raining.
- If you go outside and smell the most beautiful smell you have ever smelled in your whole life, its raining.
If you cant tell, Dalton is VERY special and has one of the purest and perfect hearts you have ever seen! Even if it doesn’t look like everyone else, we love him very much.
Through the happy and sad, the laughs and tears, the wellness check-ups and the overnight stays, there was one place we could always count on the care he needed, Primary Children’s Medical Center (PCMC) in Salt Lake City.
Serving as a Primary Children’s Ambassador
My favorite part of this story is yet to come. In 2014 I found a competition that involved talent and scholarship. You know how that story finishes! Throughout my year as Miss Utah’s Outstanding Teen, I was surrounded by such empowered women. This is when I learned that they were Champions for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals like PCMC! This along with other reasons was one of the major reasons I wanted and needed to be Miss Utah. I knew I wanted to be a Champion and ambassador for children like my brother. I needed to give back to the network of people that gave so much to my family and me.
At the beginning of my year as Miss Utah, my sister and I recorded a CD of some of our own arrangements of inspirational songs for those facing challenges. I am currently giving these CDs to families going through experiences similar to ours hoping that it can inspire them and help carry them through their journey.
Volunteering at National Pancake Day
Tuesday, February 27th was National Pancake Day! I was able to spend the morning at our local IHOPs collecting donations for Primary Children’s and serving pancakes!
While there, I met another special soul and miracle child from PCMC, Nellie! She was full of personality and energy even though her body faces challenges that none of us will ever understand. Her wish for the day was not to be the boss but to be the Mayor! So she was! Mayor Nellie met my friend Sam (my violin) and we danced and sang the morning away! I also took some time to take song requests from each table of pancake listeners in turn for a donation.
Children’s Hospitals Week
This week is #ChildrensHospitalsWeek! I want to invite everyone to make a donation that will save lives. After donating, wear a band-aid on the back of your hand. When people ask what happened, you can share my Primary Children’s story or your own to raise awareness and funds for children like Nellie and my brother.
Being an ambassador for Primary Children’s Hospitals and Children’s Miracle Network is one of the most fulfilling parts of being Miss Utah. Life has come full circle. These organizations have forever changed my life alongside with my family. Now, it is my turn to give back because it really is all #ForTheKids.