Some athletes who suffer concussions are finding that the same system in their brains that helps them process movement may make them more susceptible to a longer recovery process.

“Each time my husband, Brian, and I visit the children at UMMD, we are all too aware of these kids being forced into such an adult setting at such a young age. We wanted to give the kids an opportunity to be themselves and enjoy a bright, colorful day even though they were in the hospital. The Princess Party turned out to be a great success! The little girls felt like they were starring in a fairy tale for the day. It was really nice to see their faces light up and watch them enjoy their time being pampered in the “Princess Spa.”

Special thanks to Sarah McGee of Visual Changes Salon & Spa in Ellicott CIty, MD and Colleen Claytor at Glossy Boutique for their help with the Princess Party!

Sponsors:

Chef Jerry Edwards and the team from Chef’s Expressions for the meal and table settings.

Floweries & Fancies

Tony Barber of Let’s Do Linens

Tim Hinsche of Kathy Freundel Photography for photography

Tori Morse quartet

Staci Summers of Haute Cocoa for favors

Stephanie Bradshaw of Bradshaw Styling

Many thanks to the sponsors who made this event possible:

105.7 TheFan
Port Discovery Children’s Museum
The Flower Cart
Roy Rogers
Mr. Basement
ABC Party and Tent Rental

Special thanks to all the fans who donated toys for this event!!

Kits contain items including disposable gloves, soap, washcloths, flashlights, batteries, medications, water purification sachets, and personal notes of encouragement. Often, a simple note of encouragement lets caregivers know they are not alone and gives them the strength they need to continue caring for very sick people in every corner of the world.

Diana and I were so touched to learn that these caregivers will save every note they receive because it means so much that they know there is someone in America praying for them.

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. They serve close to 100 million people in nearly 100 countries around the world. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. To date, World Vision has trained and equipped over 77,000 caregivers. This year, 350,000 kits have been requested by World Vision field offices to support caregivers.

Diana and I are so honored to be a part of serving the poor and the sick alongside World Vision with the help of Gallery Church of Baltimore. This outreach would not have been possible without the help of Gallery Church.

For more information, please visit www.gallerychurchbaltimore.com or www.worldvision.org

BALTIMORE, MD (April 25, 2011) Some might think that Orioles’ Second Baseman, Brian Roberts is a hero to the young patients at the University of Maryland Children’s Hospital but it’s actually quite the opposite. Roberts and his wife, Diana, had the opportunity to visit with their heroes in the “Forest” at the hospital Monday.

The “Forest” is a special place in the child life center at the hospital where tiny patients come to play, socialize, and escape their hospital rooms for a bit. And Monday, the trees made the perfect setting to hide lots of Easter Eggs. Children were greeted by colorful baskets, toys, games, decorations and, of course, plastic Easter eggs – about 1000 of them. There was also a visit from the Oriole Bird who was sporting giant bunny ears for the occasion.

As they hunted for eggs, colored in their books, decorated cupcakes, and picked out games to take back to their rooms, Brian and Diana could be seen speaking with parents and their children, patients and siblings alike. They even joined in the action, sprawling out on the floor with some of the kids to color pages in a coloring book. B Rob’s crayon of choice? The orange one, of course.

“These kids are truly amazing and teach me so much,” Roberts says, “They are a constant reminder of the blessings in my life. We all have bad days, but if a child so sick with cancer, or a heart condition can be this excited over a little plastic egg and some toys, then we can all certainly find joy each day amidst whatever our circumstances are. These children absolutely inspire my wife and me.”

Roberts, along with his wife, Diana, have made a commitment to continue and strengthen their support of the hospital and their pediatric patients through their newly established One-For-All Fund. Funds will be raised through various fundraisers including the annual event “Brian’s Baseball Bash” in July. More Information about the fund can be found on their recently launched, brand new website at www.OfficialBrianRoberts.com.