Eight Children's Hospital Patients Visit Pumpkin Patch

The smell of pumpkin and feel of fresh hay are things most people may not think twice about, but for a group of children, it means everything to visit a pumpkin patch.

Many patients at The Children’s Center Rehabilitation Hospital in Bethany spend their days at the hospital, sometimes for months or years at a time.

On Wednesday, eight kids had the opportunity to go on a field trip to TG Farms in Newcastle. The owner of the farm invited the children to come out to their pumpkin patch at no cost.

“Just to see how she interacts with the world outside the hospital is really exciting for us,” said Mary Jones.

She and Ty Jones are the parents of 13-month-old Emery.

Emery was born with a congenital heart defect and had open heart surgery at 12 weeks old. They say she had a difficult time after heart surgery. She’s been staying at The Children’s Center since March.

Emery has only been able to go home 48 hours out of the month.

To Ty and Mary Jones, the time at TG Farms is the family time that they needed.

“Last year for the holidays, she wasn’t awake,” said Mary Jones.

She said this is like Emery’s first holiday and her first visit to the pumpkin patch.

Emery and the other children got to see and pet farm animals, go on a hay ride and pick out pumpkins.

“To see her get the same opportunities as other kids have; it’s just been really fun today,” Mary Jones said.