MeritCare Children's Hospital is always ready and available to respond to the varying needs of patients. Matt Garberg, MeritCare's 2009 Children's Miracle Network Champion is a great example of the care that MeritCare Children's Hospital and Clinics can provide.
Born 16 weeks early and weighing only 1 pound, 5 ounces, Matt had a life-threatening intestinal infection – necrotizing enterocolitis. He underwent successful surgery to remove his colon. Now, at age 9, Matt Garberg is conquering all.
MeritCare Children's Hospital and Children's Miracle Network benefit hundreds of children, like Matt, across our region. On Founder's Day, February 25th, 2009, which marked the end of MeritCare's Centennial celebration, Matt represented those children as he read his letter to the future. That letter, along with many other items, was then placed in a time capsule, so future generations can have glimpse into what life was like in 2009.
Here's what Matt wrote:
Hi, my name is Matthew Garber. I am 9 years old and in the 3rd grade. I ride a school bus to school. I listen to music on an ipod. I take piano lessons. I play video games when my mom lets me. When I grow up I want to be a police officer. I like Star Wars. My favorite Star Wars characters are Luke Skywalker, Chewbacca, and R2D2. My friends Jeron, Skyla and I all have light sabers. We pretend we are Star Wars characters. I like to play outside. In the summertime I swim with my friends, and in the winter I like to play on my snow fort. I have a bird and two dogs. Their names are Matty and Barney.
MeritCare Children's Hospital is the best hospital in all the universe. I was born 16 weeks early. I weighed 1 pound 5 ounces. I spent the first 1 months of my life in the hospital. I still have to go to the hospital when I'm sick. They have nitrous oxide, which is also called laughing gas. The nurses give it to me when I have to have an IV. It still kind of hurts but not as much.
I am proud to be the 2009 Miracle Network Champion for MeritCare Children's Hospital.
It's a special component of the time capsule, and Matt is a special boy. MeritCare Children's Hospital and Children's Miracle Network are proud of his strength, courage and resilience.
If you have a special boy or girl in your life who needs specialized care, think MeritCare Children's Hospital and Clinics. With a child-friendly setting, MeritCare Children's Hospital makes you feel at home. They also offer "extras" like child life specialists and hospital rooms big enough to accommodate parents and families. Whether it's The Village of Laffalot or the dedicated people who focus on the unique needs of children to improve their health, MeritCare Children's Hospital and Clinics are here to serve you, both today and for years to come.