A heartwarming story has been reported where community members gathered on a child’s front yard to entertain him since he’s been in a battle with cancer.
3-year-old, Quinn Waters, Weymouth, Massachusetts, has been in isolation since getting a stem cell transplant recently and high levels of chemotherapy which caused a wipe out of his immune system.
Quinn is on a restricted diet, and home-bound, but that hasn’t stopped friends and strangers to gather at his front yard daily to greet and entertain him. Some sing a song, perform juggling tricks, or honk as they drive by, Quinn watches them eagerly from the window of his room.
Mum Tara Waters, 42, a Police Officer with the Quincy Police Department, said: “Quinn was diagnosed with brain cancer earlier this year, just a few days after his birthday. “His restrictions include a low-bacteria diet, so fruit with hard skins that can be thoroughly washed and are grown in US only, no frozen yogurt, no soft drinks from machines, no popcorn, no ice.
She says that he normally walks alone but at night he is attached to a feeding tube machine as he ingests orally but it is not enough to sustain his weight. She says that the visits started when a musician friend of hers reworded the song The Mighty Quinn to fit Quinn and came to sing for him as he watched from his window.
Tara’s co-workers from the Special Operations Unit were in their area for a funeral escort and they too stopped by to say hi, and then more started visiting the ‘Quinn-Dow,’ including strangers like country singer and local radio host Ayla Brown. The family has not asked anyone to visit but people are doing it out of love for Quinn and kindness of their hearts.
She says that the sons of the Quincy Police Swat team recently had a water balloon fight through the window with Quinn and he really enjoyed it. She adds that Quinn could be out of isolation by August end, if there is improvement in his white blood cell count. Thanks to the community, he is experiencing a ‘normal’ life and every big or small visit makes his day.
Tara says, “It’s his window to the world and it’s done him well after being in treatment inpatient at the children’s hospital, where he only interacted with his parents and the doctors. It’s good that he can socialise and stay a little ‘normal’ through the window. She adds, “So, out of a terrible disease comes some good in the world and Quinn has had experiences some kids never have.
Tara is grateful that her son doesn’t ask to go outside or get mad because he cannot, he doesn’t have self pity but has the best outlook on life and laughs and plays until bedtime.
“His phrase is ‘this is the best day ever’ which he repeats multiple times every day.”
What a positive story to start the day with, our community does play a bug part in our life and we are sure that Quinn will be soon well enough to go out and enjoy himself with his friends and community.