Young Patients Celebrate Prom at PSE&G Children's Specialized Hospital

Katie Brunner was ready for her prom on Tuesday.

She had a pink dress and matching shoes, painted nails and her hair styled. And she cheered with excitement as her mother pushed her wheelchair into the prom at PSE&G Children's Specialized Hospital.

"After a long day of therapy, its nice to come here and have some fun," said Linda Brunner, Katie's mother.

On May 21, PSE&G Children's Specialized Hospital hosted a prom that drew patients of all ages, from toddlers to young adults.

Joined by hospital staffers, patients danced to music provided by “DJ Truth,” of MainStream Music in Piscataway, and had their photos professionally taken by photographer Tom Schoenknecht.

The music and photography were donated, as were hair and makeup services and formal wear, said Rebecca Mazzarella, spokesperson for Children's Specialized Hospital.

South Brunswick's Hugs for Brady Foundation also donated flowers for the event.

Patients and roommates Sarah Raschbaum, 16, of Haddonfield, and Georgia Klein, 16, of Maplewood, did their part to make the prom happen when a hiccup occurred the night before in bringing manicures to their fellow patients: They jumped right in and did the manicures themselves. 

"It was fun. Really fun," Raschbaum said.

"Getting to experience something like this is so awesome," Klein said. "I'm so happy something like this was happening when I was here."

Children's Specialized Hospital President and CEO Amy B. Mansue said the purpose of the prom was to "make it normal," meaning to give the young people present a fun experience as a respite from the therapies, treatments and hospital stays.

"Is there anything better?" Mansue said, as the prom guests entered the room one at a time to the cheers of hospital staff and fellow patients and their families. "This is what it's all about, (giving) them an experience they wouldn't otherwise have."

Raschbaum, who was at the hospital to undergo treatment for a neurological disorder, said she missed the prom at Haddonfield High School, where she is a junior, due to her hospital stay.

However, she was excited to attend Tuesday's celebration and said was scheduled to leave the hospital a few days after.

"This is nice (and) I'm going home soon, so that's a reason to celebrate," she said.

Editor's note: A video of Tuesday's prom can be viewed here, courtesy of NJTV.