RWJ Children's Hospital
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While driving by from work the other day, I decided to take advantage of the beautiful twilight and capture some images of the Children's Hospital wing at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center. The facility is located at the corner of French and Patterson streets, across from the Clinical Academic Building at 125 Patterson in New Brunswick, NJ. |
As I began taking these images, one of the housekeepers, Dolly Rogers, came out and introduced herself and explained to me the significance of the garden in the courtyard. The garden was built for all the young patients of the Childrens' Hospitals, at the behest of Dolly's son, Joey Rogers, who passed away at the age of 22 from a rare blood-borne disease, Wiskott-Aldrich. Joey was treated at the Bristol-Myers Squibb Children's Hospital (pictured above) and the PSE&G CHildren's Specialized Hospital (pictured below right).
The "Cool Beans Butterfly Garden" (pictured at right), is situated directly in front of and adjacent to the two Children's Hospitals, and has become a prominent landmark at Robert Wood Johnson. Featuring a beautiful potted flower garden, bistro table, bench and chairs in the shape of butterflies, the courtyard has become a quiet refuge in an otherwise hurried metropolis.
In the Spring, with the flowers in bloom, it attracts many species of butterflies, and offers a welcome oasis of color.
In spite of it being the dead of winter, the courtyard's character and ambiance is evident in the splash of color and the respite it provides. I am glad I visited and met Dolly; her story, and that of her son Joey, is one of courage and perseverance, and is welcome encouragement to parents and their children struggling with affliction.
For more information on the garden, and Dolly and Joey's extraordinary story, please follow this link.
I plan on visiting again in the Spring when the garden is in full bloom. I would urge readers to visit as well. (Pictured below: the walkway leading to the two Children's Hospitals at Robert Wood Johnson)
