Surprise Playground

Bryan (in cap) looking through the outdoor toybox with some friends.

Bryan Carroll, age 7, who has been battling leukemia for about a year, hasn't been able to go outside much. It isn't that he doesn't like being outside, but he's vulnerable to serious illness if he's out and about in crowds. So, he spends most of his days inside, since there wasn't much to do in his backyard.

It wasn't that his dad hadn't thought about enhancing the backyard, either. With one thing and another, plus helping to care for Bryan, he just couldn't get to a backyard re-make. Well, Leanne Christie, mother of Bryan's best friend, Joe Hermanson, knew about Sean Carroll's wish for a backyard makeover. And she had the time and marketing chutzpah to put together a plan.



With the help of online fund-raising, Leanne was able to collect $3,000 and a corps of willing volunteers. Because of how close the two families are, she knew that the family was making a day trip on July 29. That put the plan in motion because the group wanted the backyard makeover to be a surprise. They all went to work.

One of the obstacles was that the backyard had several old tree stumps and they needed to be removed before all of the new equipment was installed. They installed outdoor furniture, a barbecue area, and a brand new swing set, and they also provided a selection of outdoor toys that Bryan could use when he was outdoors with his older sister and his friend, Joe.

Everyone working together to clean up the yard.

The yard was ready in time for the Carroll family's return. What a surprise! Bryan got to try out the new toys, everyone was all smiles, there was a relaxing place in the yard for all to enjoy. To top it off, NHL hockey stars, Nathan MacKinnon and Sidney Crosby, stopped by. They spent more than an hour with Bryan and his family. Because a community cared, they got together and provided needed support and solace for a family with an ill child. It was all good!

The members of the community who remade the backyard.

Thanks to this article from Up-lifting Entertainment: http://uptv.com/blog/kids/uplifting-people-community-builds-young-cancer-victim-an-amazing-playground/; and this article from Day News: http://www.daynews.com/world/society/2015/08/child-who-couldnt-enjoy-the-outdoors-gets-his-own-backyard-playground-25437.

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