Eagle Scout Candidate Rolls Out Fun for Patients at Silver Cross Hospital

He’s been Scouting since the first grade, so Sean Parkes knows the value of being prepared. A few years ago, he started planning for the Eagle Scout project that would cap off his Scouting career by his 18th birthday last December.

While he still needs approval for Eagle honors, Sean rolled out the project with two months to spare – thanks to some inspiration from his mom, Dr. Megan Parkes, Medical Director of the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab at Silver Cross Hospital.

Since October, Silver Cross has provided Sean’s four specially crafted carts loaded with donated books, puzzles, coloring books, and other assorted activities to keep patients occupied while they’re recuperating.

Two carts are in the inpatient therapy unit at the AbilityLab, one is in the outpatient therapy unit, and one is available wherever it’s needed.

Sean said initially it was to be a stationary kiosk, “but we thought it would be better to make it mobile.”

Former Patient Assists

With no carpentry experience, Sean looked for expert advice. That’s when Dr. Parkes suggested partnering with former patient Boller Boll of Mokena.

As thanks for the past care he received, Boll, a retired carpenter, has made numerous items for the AbilityLab to help patients regain their skills.

“I saw Bo one day,” Dr. Parkes said. “And I said, ‘I might need you.’ He said, ‘Whatever you need.’”

Putting a Plan in Place

Sean had to submit plans to Scout leadership for approval. Then, he set about getting monetary donations from his church to buy supplies at local stores.

Once the carts were built, Sean assembled a crew of fellow Scouts – and his sisters – to paint and decorate them.

Sean said he learned a lot through the whole process about planning and preparing the paperwork before the project could begin.

“That was the hardest part,” he said. “But I learned about leadership and following through to get what we needed done.”

Dr. Parkes said the carts are a blessing for patients, especially on weekends when therapy schedules are lighter.

“They can read books and keep them, or return them for another one,” she explained. “Even better, the puzzles and coloring books help the patients’ cognitive abilities and fine motor skills. It’s so gratifying to see how Sean prepared and how he got materials to build the carts and donations of books and other items for the patients.”

To learn more about rehabilitation services at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab at Silver Cross Hospital, please visit silvercross.org.