OT:Grateful for the University of Michigan, and not just because of untied shoelaces
Just thought I would link this post to my friends blog. He has a child with Down Syndrome. This is his blog post from today.
http://radblog.wordpress.com/2010/10/01/u-of-m/
Our daughter Lexi (6) and I (30) spent the yesterday afternoon in Ann Arbor so that she could be seen by a couple of specialists that have had her under their care for several years now. It was a good visit that involved 1) me driving for 10 minutes to find a parking spot in the University Hospital parking garage and 2) me trying to figure out how to go to the bathroom without it being weird that I have a 6 year old girl with me. Logistics aside, it was a delightful experience that always leaves me appreciating the University of Michigan. Not only do they know a thing or two about Down Syndrome, they also know a thing or two about neurology, pediatric eye care, awesome waiting room fish tanks and the availability of Starbucks.
A lot of people — myself included — like Michigan football. Watching Denard Robinson run 3 million yards while his shoelaces are untied is pretty fantastic. U of M has the kind of academic reputation that prompts people from all over the world to apply; a fraction of the applicants get in. And it’s even been featured in LOST (I watch closely for Dharma Initiative symbols as we walk through the buildings). It’s fashionable to be into UM for these reasons. For me, I am a UM fan because of how well they’ve taken care of our kids.
Our visit to Ann Arbor was another confirmation of my position as a fan of University of Michigan. It’s an appreciation that runs deeper than good football, held by a dad with a very thankful heart.
October 1st, 2010 at 10:18 AM ^
Its always great to hear these kind of stories (outside of sports) about the greatness that is the University of Michigan. Thanks to you and to your buddy for sharing!
October 1st, 2010 at 10:20 AM ^
The thing that stands out about U of M hospital over any other hospital I've been to (for my care or others) is the fact that they take pride in working at U of M hospital and they legitimately care. A good friend of mine unfortunately spent a lot of time in there with a brain tumor and he was a Penn State fan and always ragged on me about Michigan...he always said until his passing that he had nothing but profound respect and admiration for the doctors and nurses at U of M hospital for being simply the best. "out of this world care" as he put it. I am very proud of our school for more than just sports and image...in every aspect of life you just seem to find good people from the University of Michigan that take pride in what they do and strive to be the best. To be corny "that's the Michigan difference."
October 1st, 2010 at 10:23 AM ^
Thanks for the post. It gave me the chills (in a good way).
October 1st, 2010 at 1:24 PM ^
October 1st, 2010 at 10:28 AM ^
I have been a sports fan of the University of Michigan for 30 plus years,but due to some medical issues this year my appreciation for the Univeristy as a whole has grown tremendously!
Best of luck to your friend and his family!!
October 1st, 2010 at 11:45 AM ^
with your own medical issues, whatever they are. Obviously you're in good hands.
October 1st, 2010 at 10:41 AM ^
Thanks for sharing this story.
Two words: Leaders and Best
October 1st, 2010 at 10:55 AM ^
Thank you for bringing this to our attention, best of luck to your friend and his daughter
October 1st, 2010 at 10:57 AM ^
Your daughter is in good hands at U of M. God bless you and your family.
GO BLUE!
October 1st, 2010 at 11:11 AM ^
This is why Michigan is the greatest university in the world. I always love seeing the commercials for the school that focus on the hospital and its achievments. I have a real sense of pride when it comes to all things Michigan and that stems from far more important areas than just football (although I don't downplay my love for the game/team).
October 1st, 2010 at 11:38 AM ^
I think this is the first time I've ever felt the need to say it, but I don't feel that this is in any way OT. Kudos to the hospital, and I hope they continue to take excellent care of your friend's kids! This sort of thing is always wonderful to hear.
October 1st, 2010 at 11:47 AM ^
My family all went to UM undergrad and some of us for grad, but my younger sister did not in part due to chronic health problems that started when she was a child.
My parents took her everywhere they could locally before getting her to a team at UM Hospital and while there really wasn't any type of cure, so to speak, they did help make vast improvements in treatment that improved her quality of life substantially. Almost as beneficial as the treatment, they also had a specialist that came in specifically to help her deal with being the fact that she was going to be a kid that was pretty sick all the time. It is hard to put into words exactly how it made a difference, but it did and though the illness would always be there, she was in a much better place having been under their care.
UM has so many ways that it touches so many people's lives in different and positive ways that sometimes having gone to school there seems only like one of the more minor ways to be connected to the school. Though I do love it so.
October 1st, 2010 at 12:07 PM ^
Of why you don't need to go to a University to be a fan of it (in whatever sense you may be). Michigan offers so much more to people, not just in the community or state, but around the world, than football. This is the kind of story that makes me smile from ear to ear with pride. Many schools can boast great academics, groundbreaking research or amazing football teams, but Michigan is unique in that it's one of the few institutions that can claim all three. If I don;t stop now, I think I'll just start to rant about everything I love about Michigan (again), so I'll just say I love this University so damn much!
October 1st, 2010 at 12:08 PM ^
...I am intensely proud to be a Michigan grad. I love stories like this father and his daughter, or Brock Mealer or the legions of people who come to Ann Arbor from all over the world to receive an amazing education and consider it the best years of their life. We forget sometimes that we have been given the opportunity to be part of greatness. Football up or football down, U-M is the class of public universities in America. What a legacy.