ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ/Gray News) – A 7-year-old girl in Virginia who was born with cerebral palsy knows what it feels like to be in the hospital around the holidays.
Abby Dudley has undergone many treatments at Carilion Children’s Hospital herself, including a brain surgery just last week.
Abby and her family decided to spread holiday cheer to other children and families at the hospital by delivering toys she had collected from the community.
Monday, they dropped off nine boxes of donated toys.
Nurses and doctors at the hospital say it’s families like the Dudleys that make Christmas special for children going through a tough time.
“To have the Dudleys want to give back after they have been seen at their facility, it means the world to all of us and it’s so touching, not only to see their face this time of year, but to hear their kind words of support,” said Sarah Kress, a child life specialist.
Abby’s mom, Trista Dudley, said her daughters even bought some of the toys with their own money.
“They were so excited about it, they were like, ‘I bet a kid would like this one and this one.’ To see how big their heart was to buy toys for other kids is awesome,” Dudley said.
Carilion Children’s Hospital accepts toys and gift donations for children year-round.
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