Bekah

 

Bekah was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, a neurological disorder that affects the brain’s ability to control muscles. She has had several surgeries at Phoenix Children’s and has regular Botox injections to help relax her muscles. Despite it all, Bekah has an infectious optimism that lights up a room.

 

Below she tells us more about herself and what it's like coming to Phoenix Children's Hospital.

 

What is the hardest part of being in the hospital?

The mask when they cover your nose up to make me knock out.

 

So it's the anesthesia that you don't like, not the actual surgery?

I don't mind the operation part of it. That just tickles.

 

What does your doctor do when you come to the Hospital?

He talks to me and takes a little hammer and hits my knee. The doctors don't scare me.

 

How are your braces?

They help me walk, but they itch sometimes. I run through my house, but when I'm sick my mom tells me to stop running around.

 

What do you want to be when you grow up?

I want to be a doctor and fix other kid's hearts. I want to be like Dr. Teodori, I like him. I want to be a good doctor. I'll need a clipboard too.

 

I hear you swallowed some money and it showed up on an x-ray.

[laughs] I got money out of my piggy bank and put it in my mouth.

 

Are you close to your sister Rachel?

Yeah. Sometimes when I fall she helps me get up.

 

What do you want to say about your mom and dad?

My mom cooks nice and my dad helps me with my homework.

 

How do you stay so happy and brave all the time?

Because I like me.