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Everyday Heroes: Lawrenceville teen brings joy to pediatric patients

Sarah Gruber donated 17 handmade IV lily pads to the Spence and Becky Wilson Baptist Children's Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. The skateboard-like devices attach to IV poles, allowing pediatric patients to sit and move around a hospital more efficiently while still connected to their IVs. “It’s important that I inspire and teach others so they can carry on this project long after I have finished,” she said. (Courtesy of Baptist Memorial Health Care)

Credit: Baptist Memorial Health Care

Credit: Baptist Memorial Health Care

Sarah Gruber donated 17 handmade IV lily pads to the Spence and Becky Wilson Baptist Children's Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. The skateboard-like devices attach to IV poles, allowing pediatric patients to sit and move around a hospital more efficiently while still connected to their IVs. “It’s important that I inspire and teach others so they can carry on this project long after I have finished,” she said. (Courtesy of Baptist Memorial Health Care)
By Gwinnett Daily Post staff
6 hours ago

Sarah Gruber, a Girl Scout from Lawrenceville, is using her creativity and her passions for children, design and art to bring joy to hospitalized pediatric patients.

As part of her Girl Scout Gold Award project, the most prestigious leadership award in the Girl Scouts, Sarah recently donated 17 handmade IV lily pads to the Spence and Becky Wilson Baptist Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.

The 17-year-old senior at Notre Dame Academy in Duluth spent more than 500 hours making the IV lily pads and completing the other components of her project. The skateboard-like devices attach to IV poles, allowing pediatric patients to sit and move around a hospital more efficiently while still connected to their IVs.

Sarah Gruber donated 17 handmade IV lily pads to the Spence and Becky Wilson Baptist Children's Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. The skateboard-like devices attach to IV poles, allowing pediatric patients to sit and move around a hospital more efficiently while still connected to their IVs. Each one took more than 20 hours of work. (Courtesy of Baptist Memorial Health Care)

Credit: Baptist Memorial Health Care

icon to expand image

Credit: Baptist Memorial Health Care

Part of her project involved teaching other teens how to re-create something similar in their communities, using donated materials and borrowing tools whenever possible. She also assembled and donated 525 coloring kits for distribution to pediatric patients.

“I was excited to work on such a meaningful project for my Girl Scout Gold Award,” Sarah said. “It’s important that I inspire and teach others so they can carry on this project long after I have finished.”

Sarah custom-designed the template using specific measurements from the IV poles used by the hospital. Each individual wooden lily pad was hand cut and painted and took more than 20 hours of active time each.

“We were grateful Sarah chose Baptist Children’s Hospital for her Girl Scout Gold project, which will bring endless joy to the children at our hospital,” said Kate Baker, a child life specialist with Baptist Children’s Hospital. “The lily pad IV poles will help move patients out of their rooms and give them independence.”

Sarah Gruber donated 17 handmade IV lily pads to the Spence and Becky Wilson Baptist Children's Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. The skateboard-like devices attach to IV poles, allowing pediatric patients to sit and move around a hospital more efficiently while still connected to their IVs. (Courtesy of Baptist Memorial Health Care)

Credit: Baptist Memorial Health Care

icon to expand image

Credit: Baptist Memorial Health Care

The Gold Award recognizes Girl Scouts who use their skills to solve issues and make a lasting change in the world.

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HOW TO HELP

For information on how to create your own IV pole lily pad, contact Sarah Gruber: sarahgslilypads@gmail.com.

About the Author

Gwinnett Daily Post staff