Sean Parkes, pictured with his mom, Dr. Megan Parkes, displays two of the carts he created for Silver Cross Hospital patients as part of his Eagle Scout project.
Eagle Scout Candidate Rolls Out Fun for Patients at Silver Cross Hospital
In Scouting since first grade, Sean Parkes knows the value of being prepared. So, a few years ago, he started planning for the Eagle Scout project that would cap off his Scouting career by his 18th birthday this December.
While he still needs official approval from the Scouts for Eagle honors, Sean got the project rolled out with two months to spare – thanks to some inspiration from his mom, Dr. Megan Parkes , Medical Director of the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab at Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox.
Since October of this year, Silver Cross has four specially crafted carts loaded with donated books, puzzles, coloring books and other assorted fun stuff to keep patients occupied while recuperating in the hospital.
Two are in the inpatient therapy unit at the AbilityLab, one is in the outpatient therapy unit, and one is available where needed.
Sean said initially it was supposed to be a stationary kiosk, “but we thought it would be better to make it mobile.”
Former Patient Assists
With no carpentry experience under his belt, Sean started looking around for expert advice. That’s when Dr. Parkes suggested partnering with former ShirleyRyan patient Boller Boll of Mokena.
As thanks for the wonderful care he received from the therapists, Boll, a retired carpenter, has made numerous items for the AbilityLab to help patients regain their skills.
“I saw Bo in the unit one day,” Dr. Parkes said. “And I told him, ‘I might need you.’ He said, ‘Whatever you need.’”
Sean had the design and materials for the first cart, but working with Boll, they were able to improve the final three.
“It was fun working with him in his workshop,” Sean said.
Putting a Plan in Place
Before that, though, Sean had to first submit plans to Scout leadership and wait for approval. Then, he set about getting monetary donations from his church to buy supplies at local stores.
Once the carts were put together, Sean assembled a crew of fellow Scouts – and his sisters – to paint and decorate them for a bright presentation.
Sean said he learned a lot through the whole process about making and changing plans and preparing the necessary paperwork before the project even could get started.
“That was the hardest part for me,” he said. “But I learned about leadership and following through to get what we needed done.”
Dr. Parkes said the carts are a blessing for patients, especially on weekends when therapy schedules are lighter.
“Now, they can read books, keep them if they want or return them for another one,” she explained. “Even better, the puzzles and coloring also help develop the patients’ cognitive abilities and fine motor skills. It’s so gratifying to see how Sean prepared these plans and got materials to build the carts and donations of books and other items for the patients. I’m very proud of him.”
To learn more about Rehabilitation services at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab at Silver Cross Hospital, visit silvercross.org
