Hospital room makeovers bring comfort to young patients
Fifteen-year-old Pierre was all smiles as he walked into his hospital room at the Children's Hospital at Montefiore to find it was transformed with personalized decorations tailored to his passion for basketball.
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Six children undergoing medical treatment received a special surprise designed to brighten their hospital stay.
Fifteen-year-old Pierre was all smiles as he walked into his hospital room at the Children's Hospital at Montefiore to find it was transformed with personalized decorations tailored to his passion for basketball.
"It definitely feels more homey, more normal," his mother, Amanda Perrin, said. "Instead of the white and sterileness, it just feels comforting."
The makeovers are part of the nonprofit Once Upon a Room, which partnered with commercial real estate firm JLL to redesign the spaces.
The goal is to bring comfort and joy to children battling chronic and complex illnesses.
Since its founding, Once Upon a Room has helped more than 30,000 children across the country.
"We just want to find any way to make their day better," said volunteer Ava Leyerle. "Bringing some things from home or maybe just their favorite activity — it makes a huge difference."
Pierre's decorations hit close to home.
He just made his school's basketball team but has spent the past two months in the hospital undergoing treatment for a brain injury.
"He was looking forward to playing and practicing, and then we ended up here," Perrin said.
Now, his redesigned room serves as a reminder of what he hopes to return to.
"God willing, next year he'll be back playing basketball again," Perrin said.
All of the decorations are donated, allowing patients to take them home as they continue their recovery, extending the mission of delivering hope and comfort beyond the hospital.
