A Promise Not to Forget the Other Children

So why a store and why “this” product? A few have asked me….

So, as I had mentioned in my previous journal entry, on Monday (10/5) we learned our daughter had been reviewed and approved for admission into an in-patient mental health hospital in Brooklyn Park.

Our daughter (who was transferred by ambulance) was accepted via patient intake (alone). My husband and I walked through the front doors (without our daughter).  Due to Covid, only one of us could see her at a time. I removed electronics on my person, walked through a metal detector and proceeded to be escorted down a long hallway by security.  Nothing about this experience felt comfortable.  I was taken to room #8, last door on the right.  The door was unlocked by staff and I found my daughter alone, scared and crying…still in her hospital scrubs. Nothing prepares you for a moment like this.

For safety reasons the room was simple…and sterile. A small bed with blanket. Wood desk and nightstand. Hard floors and walls. Small bathroom with a soft door to discourage any self-harm. Windows were frosted - you could not see out (intended to protect patient privacy).

My husband and I each had 5 mins to say “goodbye” to our daughter. Leaving her in a mental health in-patient hospital (although in good hands) was one of the most difficult things I have ever done as a parent and a person. There is nothing that can prepare you for that moment. We ran to Target and bought every fluffy/warm/fuzzy thing we could find and a card to assure our daughter knew we loved her and did not abandon her. We left items with security and headed home emotionally exhausted.

Over our daughter’s ten day stay we noticed a heart-wrenching contrast. Anna was blessed with cards, stuffed animals, blankets and decorations for her room. It was obvious she was loved and not forgotten. A stark difference from many of the other childrens’ rooms that had nothing more than what existed when they arrived…other than the clothes on their back and some donated articles.

A month had passed since our daughter’s hospital stay. At home I noticed a particular bear our daughter had received during her hospitalization. Now, our daughter has 67 stuffed animals on her bed (yep, it takes 4 mins and 37 seconds to get all those animals on the bed, “just so”, everyday), so this bear had to be special to notice it. I read the tag, DEMDACO Giving Bear. I made a call to DEMDACO. With the help of our amazing community of family and friends we raised more than enough money to provide children in residence at the hospital in Brooklyn Park with DEMDACO “Giving Bears” and “Loved Blankets” this past holiday season to assure they felt loved and not forgotten. In addition, DEMDACO has kindly agreed to partner on the design and prototype of a new “Prairie Bear” with the same mental health organization that has provided our daughter’s care. The goal is to assure every child admitted to their mental health hospital(s) moving forward receives a bear. I cannot begin to describe how much a simple bear waiting on a bed for a scared and confused child (and family) will mean. I know because that child and family was us.

It is through the experience and partnership I describe above that DEMDACO became a brand I admire and trust. It is honor to sell their product and make it available to others.