November 8, 2008 - U.S. Gymnastics Team Members' Stop at Sparrow Brings Smiles, Hope to Kids

By Vince Bond Jr. - Lansing State Journal
Five-year-old Victoria Garcia was caught off guard Friday morning when she learned Olympic gymnasts were visiting Sparrow Children's Center.

As part of Athletes for Hope - a non-profit organization that initiates visits with youth around the country - members of the U.S. gymnastics team stopped by the facility before performing at the Breslin Center on Friday to brighten the day of ill and injured children.

The team is in the midst of the 2008 Tour of Gymnastics Superstars, a 37-city event that has spanned the past three months.

"(Victoria) is really shy. She's not talking to anybody," said her grandmother, Diana Garcia, of Lansing. "I wish there was more room here (in the lobby), so I could see them tumbling around."

Diana Garcia said Victoria suffers from deplegia thoracic sprinx, a rare spinal condition that doctors are assessing while the Lansing girl is hospitalized at the center. The grandmother said she is grateful the athletes took time to visit.

Visiting athletes included Nastia Liukin, whose medals at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics included the all-around gold medal in women's gymnastics, and Shawn Johnson, who took gold in the women's balance beam event.

Jon Horton, 2008 Olympic silver medalist, said the visit is all about helping kids and being a role model.

"(When we stop by hospitals) some of their faces light up," he said. "We don't realize the impact that we have on people at home. Hopefully, I will have this opportunity after my career is over."

Jacqueline Taylor's 6-year-old daughter, Artavia, suffers from leukemia and has been in and out of the hospital since mid-August due to complications.

Jacqueline Taylor said her daughter was excitedly talking about the gymnasts in the days leading up to their visit. "I think it's beautiful. It's great to have programs like this for the kids," said Taylor, 48, of Lansing, as her daughter took a group photo with the athletes. "Artavia has so many things she has to go through."

Sparrow Health System Senior Vice President Joe Ruth said he hopes the children take away lasting memories from the visit.

"They (the athletes) are making a difference here and it's fantastic," he said. "We're trying to get (the children) back on their feet and restore their health. It's something for the scrapbook."

Athletes for Hope coordinated the visit to Sparrow Children’s Center as part of their community involvement initiative for the Gymnastics Superstars Tour.