A Little "Hollywood" Treatment For Sick Children
Limo rides ease the pain of a painful day
A local limo driver's giving kids a lift.
One night a few years ago, Dick Flower, of Tolland, had a dream about starting a non-profit organization to help sick children.
Then, his grandson Cory took a limo ride and was so excited about it, he called his grandfather from the car to tell him all the details.
Soon after, the recent retiree started calling hospitals and quickly created Kids In Limos. The not-for-profit organization gives sick children and their parents a free ride to doctor and hospital visits.
NBC Connecticut went along with the Laprise family of Plainville as they rode to Hartford Hospital. It was the first limo ride for Andrew, who's suffering from a type of muscle cancer. He has treatments every week. Andrew says he thinks the Wii system, the TV, the lighted ceiling and just about everything in the limo can be described by one word: "Awesome!"
Flower says he has several volunteer drivers and he'll take the families wherever they like. "The limo is theirs. We can stop and have pizza -- whatever they want, it's their day, their ride, and it just makes me very, very proud that I'm doing this."
Andrew's mom, Gert, says people don't realize how tough the day-to-day is for kids with illnesses, and the limo ride is much more than just that. "It's that joy, you bring your child to Lake Compounce and you see that excitement, well he doesn't get to have that. This brings it, so it's really a joy."
Andrew's dad, Gary, agrees. "He hasn't been able to do a lot of exciting things and this really tops it off."
Flower even offers toys to the children at the end of each ride.
-----
If you know of a child in need of a ride, or for more information, visit their website.
Posted Friday, Oct 30, 2009 - 5:17 PM EST
Top Stories
