Alex, 14, has been a patient of The Hospital for Sick Children since the day he was born. Having celebrated last Christmas as an inpatient, he understands the difficulties families face being in hospital over the holidays. For that reason, he decided to spread some holiday cheer to children like him at SickKids this December.
Alex was born with a lifelong condition called spina bifida. He requires the assistance of a wheelchair to get around and spends a lot of time at SickKids. In fact, he has been an inpatient since September with complicated bed sores. To keep himself occupied, Alex, aka DJ Skinnzy, has taken advantage of this time and transformed his hospital bed into a studio to produce music. A YouTube tutorial on DJ-ing piqued his interest a few years ago and he has been mixing music ever since.
“Music helps me stay positive,” Alex said. “It’s a nice break between treatments and it makes me feel good to see other kids enjoy the mixes I put together.”
His most recent playlist was created for a holiday launch event for the SickKids Winter Lounge presented by Williams-Sonoma, Inc.
The Winter Lounge opened its doors to patients and families on December 15 in the SickKids Atrium, featuring entertainment by DJ Skinnzy. In addition to three decorated holiday trees, the space is filled with Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (including Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids and west elm) couches, chairs and children’s furniture. It is illuminated by strings of lights and paper snowflakes to create a winter wonderland inside the Hospital walls for families to enjoy. At the end of the holidays, the furniture will be auctioned off with proceeds going to SickKids Foundation.
“I think the Lounge is the most amazing idea,” Alex said. “A lot of families can’t leave the Hospital during this time of year, so it gives them a place outside their hospital rooms to relax and escape from the machines and tubes.”
When home, Alex volunteers his time to give tutorials to other children interested in mixing their own music. He strongly believes in the healing power of music and aspires to turn his passion for DJ-ing into a future career.
But for now, his family and medical team are preparing to get him home by next week – just in time for the holidays.