Karlasha, a Scott and White patient, had control of the play kitchen/store and was more than happy to serve as hostess to the visitors from Belton’s 83rd Fourth of July PRCA Rodeo.
At one point during the visit, Karlasha helped rodeo announcer Charlie Throckmorton select a few treats - chocolate chip cookie, hot dog, pizza, a can of tuna and a baby bottle.
When it came time to pay for his items, Throckmorton chose to pay with a toy credit card.
“It was denied,” said Alyssa Plackemeier, Miss Texas Rodeo.
From across the room Doris Ford of Temple kept a close eye on her granddaughter Karlasha.
Throckmorton, along with others from the rodeo, including bullfighters Mark Bennett and Wesley McManus, barrelman Donnie Landis and Miss Plackemeier was quick to connect with the children.
Miss Rodeo sat down and began exploring the kitchen appliances with some of the girls and McManus played a game of catch using a beach ball with Yasmin Rivas, who was still connected to her IV.
Yasmin inherited and had been in the hospital last week and was discharged, but had to return this week, her mother Yesenia Rivas said.
“She loves this room,” Ms. Rivas said of the play area.
Many of the young patients were curious about Landis’ red bulbous nose, but he managed, with a little help from Miss Plackemeier, to convince the youngsters it was real.
Jessica and Ramiro Valdez of Rosebud were in the Child Life center with their 14-month old son Aidan.
Aidan, busy playing his own form of bowling which included chewing on the foam ball, is in the hospital because of an infection in his lower spine.
After eight days in the hospital, Aidan is set to be released soon, according to his mom.
Prior to his diagnosis Aidan had quit walking or crawling, but is now taking a few steps, Mrs. Valdez said.
The family spends as much time as possible in the playroom.
“It’s such a blessing to have a place where they can get outside their room and go and play with other kids,” she said.
The rodeo group also visited several children in their hospital rooms, talking to the youngsters and providing autographed photos.
Kaci Conley of Temple, whose room was decked out with July 4 decorations, interrupted her breakfast to talk to Miss Rodeo, Throckmorton, Landis and the bullfighters.
Kaci has cystic fibrosis and had developed an upper respiratory problem while visiting Dallas, she said.
Kaci said she was hoping to be discharged on Thursday.
jgibbs@temple-telegram.com
