Hospital Surprises the Parents of a Child Patient With a Special Dinner

Carey and Tammy Rogers have a 14-year-old son named Turner who has congenital myotonic muscular dystrophy.

Turner has spent much of his life in and out of Children’s at Scottish Rite Pediatric Hospital in Atlanta. Recently, Tammy and Carey had hoped to celebrate their 21st anniversary with a night out, but unfortunately Turner had been rushed to the hospital on the eve of the celebration.

“We just could not stand to leave Turner for even a few hours,” the parents said. 

So the hospital decided to step in and help them celebrate their special day.

A group of volunteers transformed an ordinary conference room into a “private restaurant,” where the hospital’s own Chef Bradley served some of the couple’s favorite dishes over candlelight.

The Rogers also received a red rose and a special invitation to their anniversary dinner.

“We were overwhelmed and knew our 21st anniversary would be one we would always remember,” said the Rogers.

Tammy and Carey told HuffPost that their biggest advice after 21 years of marriage is to learn when to “agree to disagree.”

Though couples should always work to reach a compromise, it’s important to “get your view points out into the open and come to a middle ground from the two views,” they said.

“When Turner was born, people told us having a special needs child would either make your marriage or break your marriage,” they continued. “We chose to make it, and we have. It is not always easy, but when we look into our son’s eyes it is all worth it.”

 Emily Finn, a Family Experience Liaison at the hospital says she hopes that the Rogers family’s story will inspire people to “treat others will kindness.”

She said, “Everyone is fighting a battle and something as small as a smile can really brighten their day.”

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