Tonight is the big night! I can’t wait to spend a “Midnight in Paris” for the annual SickKids prom-like event. I’ve got my dress picked out - a beautiful royal blue knee-length dress with a one shoulder strap. I even bought a pair of heels! My hair appointment is booked and I can’t wait to go to the special salon set up at the hospital specifically for the event. I have yet to decide how to do my hair - straight or curly??? Decisions, decisions. I’m not very good at those…probs going to be straight as I curled it last year and, even after two bottles of hair spray and tonnes of bobby pins, it fell out due to fist pumping the night away.
Wow. The patients at the hospital are so lucky to have these types of events thanks to the Child Life specialists who spend countless hours planning this amazing night.
Lucky enough, I’m not currently an inpatient right now but I have been a patient at SickKids since the day I was born. When I was younger, I was diagnosed with VACTERL syndrome. VACTERL is an acronym and stands for birth abnormalities that affects most of my internal organs. It has affected my life a lot, but I have always just believed and lived my life to the max…is there any other way to live?
Being a sick kid has made me miss out on many meaningful life events. I believe this event is wonderful for those who miss their prom. I am only 16, so I still have yet to go to my real high school prom.
I feel very lucky to be part of the SickKids Children’s Council, which means I get invited to this wonderful evening. It is a great opportunity to meet other patients and share my story.
It is hard being a sick kid with so many medical issues so it is awesome to be able to put all that aside for a night and dance to the hot mix and beats of DJ BelloSound. I look forward to the surprise celebrities and all the action surrounding the event. It all makes for an extra special night and creates fond memories that will last a life time.
It is going to be a blast and I can’t wait to party with all my besties.
The After Hours Exclusive Teen Event was inspired by a teenage girl who missed her prom while undergoing treatment at SickKids. The Child Life team at SickKids turned to Ellen Storfer and her family’s Dream Delivery fund to make the teen event a reality. To learn more about the Dream Delivery Program and how you can help make more dreams come true, please visit www.sickkidsfoundation.com/dreamdelivery/stories.asp.