May 20

May 20 16-year-old Delivers Over 300 Care Packages to Sick Children

by Mitchell Sasser | WeINSPIRE Contributor

16-year-old Bella Adlah wants to be a pediatric nurse when she grows up. Her goal in the summer of 2020 was to volunteer at a local hospital in Reading, Massachusetts, but COVID-19 disrupted her plans. Bella knew she wanted to help sick children and came up with an idea.

“She literally woke up one morning, and said, ‘mom, I want to create these care packages and I want to send them to kids in the hospital all over the country,’” Linda Adlah, Bella’s mom, said.

Over the past year, Bella’s organization Have Fun & Stay Strong has created over 300 packages with toys for pediatric patients in hospitals. Bella has partnered with 22 hospitals and 1 foster care center, and is always looking for ways to grow her outreach and impact.

*Courtesy of Have Fun & Stay Strong Facebook Page.*

“I love meeting little kids, it’s probably one of the best things I can do,” Bella said. “Just because I get to learn about them and actually meet them in person; it’s great getting to know them and their parents.”

Care packages include stickers, crafts, legos, and dolls. Linda said Bella asks parents for favorite things including activities, colors, and characters. Bella then caters to each package toward the individual child.

Bella is in and out of the hospital, not just handing out care packages, but receiving treatment herself. What started as pain in the hands and feet in August has slowly gotten worse and developed into neurological symptoms. She has headaches so bad, they mimic seizure and stroke-like behavior. Bella said it puts a lot of stress on her body.

The hospital is still Bella’s “happy spot,” according to Linda. Linda said that Bella being able to meet with kids before or after her appointments is a good coping mechanism for her as she navigates her own health issues.

“I think that’s given her another level of appreciation for how difficult having to be going back and forth to the hospital is,” Linda said. “She has been able to coordinate dropping off some packages to children’s hospitals to individual kids when we go for appointments.”

“It’s pretty amazing. I think that she has taken how she’s felt and used it in a very positive way where many kids wouldn’t,” Linda said.

Bella also makes sure to go above and beyond for each child she visits in the hospitals. She creates an individual, inspirational, painting for each child, while her sister Gabby knits hats.

“Being able to send the packages to kids who are much worse than me, puts things into perspective for me, because even though yes, I am going through something, it could be way worse,” Bella said.

Siblings are also included in Bella’s care packages. Bella realized when a child is going through the hospital, it can be tough for siblings as all of the care and attention is transferred to one child. Bella said parents often remark on how great it is that siblings are also included when it comes to fun toys and care packages.

“I hope to see my organization grow because it’s just a fun experience, and I know for kids like me it just brings them hope, Bella said. “So I hope that when I get older I am still doing this organization, but I’d also like to have other kid volunteers just because it’s a good way to give back and it puts things into perspective.”

Bella’s dream is to partner with Make-A-Wish Foundation, so when a child gets their wish granted, they can receive a Have Fun & Stay Strong care package.

Linda’s four words to describe Bella are determined, strong, resilient, and dedicated. In working with hospital staff to deliver care packages, Bella said knowing she gets to meet and play with kids will determine her future career.

“Being a nurse, or being a child life specialist, it will be interesting to see which path she decides to go,” Linda said.

If you would like to help support Have Fun & Stay Strong, Bella’s Venmo is @Bella-Adlah or her Amazon Wish List can be found here.