-Reprinted from a Riley Hospital for Children Simon Family Towers Press Release
Indianapolis, July 24, 2008 -- Simon Family Tower construction crews, Riley Hospital for Children staff, family and friends dedicated a “Look Beyond the Walls” – a program designed to familiarize those working outside the hospital walls with those who will benefit from their efforts - to Austin Irvine, an 11-year old terminal Riley patient suffering from Centronuclear Myotubular Myopathy, a rare respiratory disorder, and inspiration behind the program.
Spending day after day in a hospital bed back in 2006 was tough on Austin Irvine, a then nine-year old Riley patient from Martinsville, Illinois. To help pass the time, he began looking out his window at the Simon Family Tower construction crews moving the equipment.
Austin wanted the crew to know how much they entertained him so he made signs and posted them in his window every morning, such as “Be safe” and “Good Morning all Bob the Builders.” The crews got such a kick out of the signs they asked to meet him. It was important Austin get something special so they gave him a hardhat signed by all of the workers in addition to other construction-related items. In this electronic age, Austin developed a friendship with the construction workers the old-fashioned way.
Now, nearly two years after their friendship formed, “Look Beyond the Walls” is being renamed “Look Beyond the Walls dedicated to Sir Austin Matthew Irvine” in honor of Austin. “We have some special people working on our building,” said Donnie Reed, Simon Family Tower construction engineer. “They understand who is inside.”
Because Austin means so much to the Simon Family Tower crews, over 30 companies and groups have donated over $7,000 to grant Austin’s wishes including a trip to Disney World, a Play Station 3, backstage passes to the Indianapolis Zoo and many others. Austin will also be remembered through his handprint that will be incorporated into the Simon Family Tower landscape.
Safety Management Group was pleased to contribute $500 to this cause.