Elliott is a dedicated Packers fan and will do just about anything for his favorite sports team — a fact that Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Nancy Delnay tested recently.
The quick thinking of Nancy Delnay, CNP, is just what Elliott Flor needed to get him through a change in his medication regimen from pills to weekly injections for juvenile dermatomyositis.
“Elliott is extremely afraid of needles – to the point he would hide under the table,” said the Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner in Rheumatology. “I knew he was a huge Green Bay Packers fan, and I was scheduled to take vacation in Wisconsin soon. So, I made a deal—or a bribe!—with him that if he took his medicine I would make a special trip to the Packers to get him something.”
The plan worked and the 8 year old immediately took the shot. “Nancy always made sure he felt that he had a say in what was happening,” said Amy Flor, Elliott’s mom. “What she and the Packers did for Elliott is just so amazing.”
Nancy actually decided to email the team to see if they’d send something small, too. Soon a big box of Packers merchandise showed up at Akron Children’s for Elliott.
“Our whole team was so excited—like at Christmas—waiting for Elliott’s next appointment,” Nancy said.
Elliott and Nancy open the box.
Elliott was just as thrilled and was actually overwhelmed. “He was smiling so big and was excited to share it at school with his friends,” said Amy, who lives in Uniontown.
The box included stickers, pencils, an activity book, photos of players, a backpack, a pillow, a stuffed character of quarterback Aaron Rodgers and a personal letter from him, too.
“The letter from Aaron is hanging up in Elliott’s room. It applauds him for being brave and making a good choice,” said Amy.
Elliott sits on his bed showing off all the new Packers gear.
When untreated, Elliott’s disease results in muscle weakness, muscle pain and rashes to face, hands, elbows. Thanks to the new injections, he’s doing well, according to Amy. “The rheumatology team has been amazing to Elliott, and we get to see them every 3 months for a checkup.”
The clinical team is looking forward to Elliott’s next appointment so they can hear about his family attending their first Green Bay game on Dec. 10 against the home team, Cleveland Browns.
“We are Browns fans but are definitely Packers fans now as well because of what they did for Elliott!” Amy shared.
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