My One-Two Punch!

I nominated my two best friends, Park and Hirschl, for the Mott Hospital Evan Newport Hope Team Award. And they made it as finalists! Yesterday was the ceremony. They didn't win, but guess who did? My Mott Hospital team from the 12 East floor! I am happy for 12 East!

Here is my application for Hitschl and Park!

I like to call them Park and Hirschl because they are more than my surgeons, they are my friends. They have saved my life many times.

I have been a patient at Mott since birth. I am now transitioning to the adult hospital. I cannot leave without nominating them for this very deserved reward. They are my team. Park and Hirschl are my one-two punch that saved my life, put me back together, came up with never before done surgeries in order to get my organs back into my body where no body existed. They are the captains of my team, my creators. They care for thousands of children with dignity and respect. They consult each other and work together. I have had surgeries that have been upwards of 18 hours and Park and Hirschl led the way in making my broken body whole. They have included my mom and dad as part of our team.

They have included my brothers and sisters as part of our team. They are the epitome of patient family centered care. They live by the mission of Mott Hospital: "to integrate clinical care, education, research and advocacy to advance the health status of children."

I have had 114 surgeries. I have almost died, been so sick and in so much pain, and no matter what time of day or night, or even if they are in another country, they respond to my mom's S.O.S. and they lead the way to my healing. I love them. They love me. They are my friends.

I have had the honor of having them care for me since even before I was born. Both Park and Hirschl consulted with my parents then. Other medical people told my mom and dad to not have me be born. That my life wouldn't be worth birth. For the first time, someone told my mom and dad what they CAN do. Hirschl and Park told my very pregnant mom what they can do. THIS IS WHAT WE CAN DO FOR YOUR BABY. Instead of what they couldn't do. They gave my mom and dad and 5 siblings HOPE.

I have a nonprofit. I help children and their families at Mott Hospital who are like me. Children that are in the hospital a lot, that are very complex, that have many diagnoses.

And I do this because of Park and Hirschl. My one-two punch. My captains of my team. Both Park and Hirschl have come to my 5k fundraiser for Mott Hospital kids and sponsored and ran/walk the event. Last year, both Park and Hirschl started our race by being the first to go across the start line by pushing my disability jogger.

Please really and truly consider this nomination for Dr Hirschl frorm Pedicatric Surgery and Dr Park from Pediatric Urology Surgery. They are a team. They keep me alive. They are my role models, and I am now helping others because I want to be like them. Park is fighting his own very serious health battles. He always smiles, cares, has empathy and compassion.

When my dad was dying of primary sclerosing cholangitis at another hospital in 2009, my mom, crying reached out to Hirschl. He knew right away what was wrong and sent an ambulance to get my dad to U of M.

When my baby niece was very sick as a tiny preemie at another hospital, not getting good care, Hirschl got her to Mott and saved her too. They go above and beyond. Please give them this very deserved award. I have so much hope every day because of Hirschl and Park. They are my friends.

I am transitioning to adult soon. And I know the goal at Mott is to help all kids like me someday transition to the adult hospital, but without Park and Hirschl, I never, ever would have made it as far as I have. Thank you. Love, your friend, Larry Jr.