Children’s Hospital of Michigan provides Halloween fun for patients

DETROIT (WXYZ) — No tricks, just treats and lots of fun at Children’s Hospital of Michigan, where staff brought Halloween to kids stuck inside.

The special event is for children like 10-year-old Jakob Wruble, who is recovering from digestive problems.

“We usually spend Halloween together, you know what I mean,” Jacob’s father Terry Raubl said. “I have five other children and they all miss him very much.”

Ten-year-old Riley Freeman is also in hospital. She deals with complications of appendix surgery.

“I’m in a lot of pain,” Riley said.

She told us that it was hard for her to miss one of her favorite holidays.

“It’s because I can’t spend Halloween with my friends and family,” Riley said.

To cheer up these children, hospital staff organized a spooky celebration.

“It’s really hard being in the hospital, especially during the holidays or something really normal that kids love to do, so we want to bring that feeling to the patients and their families,” said organizer and children’s and volunteer services manager Maureen Stice. .

They gave patients the opportunity to choose costumes and walk around the hospital.

“I feel special,” Riley said.

The gesture eased a difficult time for parents, including Sheba Perry, who was visiting her 17-year-old daughter at the children’s hospital while caring for her 2-year-old.

“It’s a great idea because it’s very difficult to balance between two kids, work, being in the hospital with one and being a parent at the same time. It feels like you’re torn between three different places,” Perry said. “Anyone who’s standing here today celebrating Halloween and they should do what I’m doing, or anyone who’s in the hospital with their kids: stay strong, keep persevering, and we’ll all get through this.”