Several Wabash football players visited with patients at the Riley Hospital for Children Monday afternoon. Robert Campbell ’10 had a special reason to make the trip --- his sister was a former patient at the hospital. Each time Campbell returns, he sees the impact a few hours spent can make in the lives of the children and their families.

A few years ago my sister was diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes. The hospital my parents had taken her immediately sent her to Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis. She is now a junior in high school, but the impact that the people at that hospital had on her and on my family is still felt to this day. Every chance I get to give back somehow to that place, I take it with open arms.

As for my experience with the hospital, fortunately, I have never been there as a patient, however, I have been twice now as a visitor, and I can honestly say that all the enjoyment those kids get from getting to spend some time with a college football player is returned to me ten-fold. Each child I work with when I go there is a blessing to me because it reminds me of how lucky I am personally just to be a health individual. Some of the experiences these children endure I would never wish on my worst enemy, however, these kids just keep moving on with a smile on their face. Secondly, it reminds me of the impact we can all have on the world around us. Most of these kids have no idea where Wabash College is, they have never been to a Wabash football game, they just see a guy wearing a football uniform who wants to spend time with them, and that means all the world to them.

This experience goes beyond the classroom and the football field; way beyond. Anyone could make an impact in a child's life, and to be honest with you, it will have just as much impact on your life as it will on theirs.

Photo - Wabash football players Robert Campbell and Seth Tichenor in the playroom with two patients at the Riley Hospital for Children.