It can be difficult to be a child. We often have to put up with our own discomfort in a variety of ways and sometimes, we may have life thrust upon us as well. That was the case for Jackson McKie, a child who was only a toddler when he was diagnosed with a brain cyst. In addition, he was diagnosed with hydrocephalus and life was not easy for him. The majority of his childhood was spent in the hospital and he needed comfort. He found that comfort, in many cases, from a teddy bear.
There was also somebody else that Jackson had to rely on, and that was a neurosurgeon by the name of Dr. Daniel McNeely. He was the doctor responsible for treating the young lad since the time that he was first diagnosed. When Jackson had to go in for another operation, Dr. McNeely was there for him. Of course, he was always there for him but on this particular day, he did something above and beyond the call of duty.
Jackson leaned over and asked Dr. McNeely for something special before he went in for the operation. He had his teddy bear with him and he wanted the surgeon to operate on the bear as well. Most surgeons would feel as if they didn’t have the time to appease the child but this doctor stepped up to the plate and did the right thing. He knew that it would encourage Jackson and he was about to go through a difficult time.
Dr. McNeely said the following to a local news crew: “I thought if there was something I could do to help make him feel better, it seemed like a simple gesture and I was only too happy to oblige.”
A little table was prepared by the nurses for the teddy bear. They referred to the bear as ‘Little Baby’ and the surgeon began doing his magic. In the end, both of the surgeries were a success.
Jackson’s father, Rick, said the doctor was an amazing individual for doing this for his son. He is more than one of the best surgeons, he’s a compassionate and kindhearted individual.
“He’s one of the nicest human beings I’ve ever met.”
Jackson and his teddy bear both have stitches and they are going through recovery side-by-side. The doctor shared the story on Twitter and millions of people were falling in love with what he did.
“Patient asks if I can also fix teddy bear just before being put off to sleep … how could I say no?”
The doctor could never have imagined that his post would reach so many people. Many of them were praising him for his actions and recognized him as being a very sympathetic surgeon.
“I thought it might make a few people smile, that was the only intention I had. I’m glad that others are enjoying it.”
We just hope that there are many other doctors out there like this one.
