Tuesdays at Blythedale

On his weekly visits to Blythedale Children’s Hospital, TJ Steinthal couldn’t help but notice how many children his age and younger had much bigger issues to deal with than he did.

By Robin Jovanovich

On his weekly visits to Blythedale Children’s Hospital, TJ Steinthal couldn’t help but notice how many children his age and younger had much bigger issues to deal with than he did.

The Resurrection eighth grader, who for the last two years has been going to the Valhalla hospital for speech therapy, said that so many of the children he sees there are in wheelchairs, have trouble sitting up, or are blind.

“When my mom picks me up on Tuesday afternoons, I say goodbye to my friends, she takes me to the hospital, and afterwards we get a treat. The children at Blythedale can’t run to the market after a session or laugh with their mom in the car on the way home,” he said thoughtfully. “Therapy is expensive and money is tight for most of these families.”

As the weeks went by and TJ got to know the children a little better, he gained appreciation of what patients there go through.

“When I go there for help with my speech I work on making learning easier for me,” he said. “The children with more severe physical and mental disabilities have a tougher time achieving their goals.”

Wanting to make a difference in their lives and do something to brighten their days, he asked his mom about doing a book drive.

“While there are a lot of restrictions on what the children of Blythedale can have, books are allowed and sadly many of them don’t have enough,” said the 13-year-old.

It took TJ and his mom Nicole a year to kick off the drive. They composed an appeal letter, emailed it to family and friends, and put it up on Facebook. A college friend of his parents collected over 200 books in a month. This Thanksgiving, all of the 36 guests at the Steinthal’s table brought new children’s books with them. This month, one of his sisters is having a caroling party and all of her fourth-grade friends are coming — book in hand.

The Steinthals are happy to pick up books and grateful to receive any sent to them. “A friend of my dad’s, who’s a pediatrician in California, sent us a bunch.”

For the past few months TJ and his mom have arrived at Blythedale armed with good reads. They’ve collected close to 400 to date.

“The hospital has a cart ready for us.” He added excitedly, “Last week we saw a child reading one of the books we’d brought!”

TJ Steinthal said his goal this season is to make sure the children, 3-13, at Blythedale are “booked” with new and exciting adventures in English and Spanish.

He invites all who can to drop off new children’s books at Twig Antiques on Smith Street or Arcade Books on Purchase Street before Christmas.
“Books are the best gift,” said a young man who’s full of drive.