“Think left and think right, and think low and think high.
Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!”
-Dr. Seuss
TCC & Riley Children’s Foundation recently collaborated with Our Culture of Good to celebrate and sponsor the creativity of the children at the Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health. The resulting microfiber cloths highlight the creativity of nine child artists with ties to Riley. In this Riley blog series, we’ll burrow deeper into each artist’s story and how they are inspired to create artwork. Here is BJ Yoho’s story:
BJ’s story
Little BJ Yoho was born with spina bifida, so he knows the halls of the Riley’s Hospital for Children like the back of his hand. BJ describes the warm and welcoming hospital as his second home. This makes sense, especially taking into consideration that his first surgery was completed at the hospital less than 24 hours after BJ was born. He’s undergone 16 more surgeries and the amputation of his left leg in the years since. And yet, his smile still brightens everyone’s lives.
BJ’s artwork
BJ has a nickname at Riley Hospital for Children – BJ Claus. This nickname speaks volumes as to BJ’s personality. Other patients in the hospital, friends, family, and hospital staff all verify that BJ is thoughtful and empathetic. And his artwork for the Riley TCC microfiber cloths reflect his generosity. BJ’s pastoral scene, white picket fence, yellow sun, puffy clouds, smiling squirrel, striped bird, and colorful butterflies greet the viewer with positive feelings. The bright blue sky harkens to a warm spring morning when worries are far away. BJ Claus has given us something we didn’t know we needed – a smile.
Check back on the TCC Talk blog for stories about each Riley child and the artwork they created. 100% of all microfiber cloth sales goes back to Riley Hospital. And don’t forget to go to your neighborhood TCC store to choose your favorite microfiber cloth.