Rockville Centre Champion Child takes Washington, D.C. by storm

Touring Washington, D.C. on a Big Bus, greeting the U.S. Surgeon General, and interviewing the CEO of Marriott hotels: all in a day’s work for Rockville Centre’s own Teddy Moore.

As the 2016 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Champion Child for New York, this is just part of the job description. The 8-year-old, with his endless charisma and enthusiastic view on life, is perfect for the ambassador role.

Teddy, a student at Jennie E. Hewitt Elementary School, is similar to his peers. He loves to talk about his adventures, meet new friends and explore the neighborhood. But one thing makes him unique.

Teddy suffers from hydrocephalus, which causes fluid in the brain that affects his short term memory and causes physical deficits and other neurological conditions. At this point, there is no treatment for the disease. In his short time, Teddy has already undergone 30 surgeries, but you could never tell by chatting with the fun and talkative boy.

Since birth, Teddy has been treated at Cohen Children’s Hospital in New Hyde Park, which is a member of the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals group. Last year, Teddy served as the ambassador for Cohen’s, but this year, he took his talents to a national platform as the New York Champion Child.

“They have great doctors, great nurses and such a great playroom,” Teddy said of the hospital where he receives his care.

Each year, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals selects one child from each state that has been treated extensively at a network hospital to serve a year-long term as Champion Child. These children and their families share their stories nationwide, urge others to donate to the hospital, as well as travel the country on fun vacations. Spending a week in the nation’s capital was just one part of the job.

While the trip was jam packed with fun excursions, with everything from visiting the monuments to meeting high profile politicians, some of Teddy’s favorite memories were just kid stuff. He excitedly recalls his time on the Big Bus, a sightseeing double-decker vehicle that travels around the city, before he even gets to mentioning his high-profile assignment interviewing Aron Sorenson, CEO of Marriott hotels.

“I miss my house, but I love being here in Washington with CMN Hospitals, just love it,” Teddy said. “Interviewing him started off easy, but it got hard for me because I was constantly sweating and it was a big deal.”

According to Teddy’s mom, Andrea Moore, serving as the champion family and representing New York in Washington, D.C. has been an “incredible, life-altering experience” but the best part has been meeting people who have undergone similar situations.

“It’s been really amazing to meet other children and other families,” she said, “because unless you have an ill child, even though people can be sympathetic and empathetic, only other parents know what you’ve been feeling.”

While the Moore family was sad that the Washington trip came to a close and they had to leave their newfound friends from all over the country, they were excited to get back to Rockville Centre to share tales of their week with family and friends. Next up, the family will head to Orlando in the winter to visit Disney World and complete another ambassador tour to share their stories and express the need for supporting local children’s hospitals.

Until then, Teddy will return to the halls of Hewitt to share his story and continue to raise awareness about his disease. To help kids like Teddy and the hospitals that treat them, visit ChildrensMiracleNetworkHospitals.org.