Vickie Tolman to Receive Profiles in Children's Courage Award

Vickie Tolman, daughter of state Senator Steven Tolman of Brighton, will receive this year's Profiles in Children's Courage Award from the Franciscan Hospital for Children.

At age eleven, she suffered from the sudden onset of paralysis of the legs, difficulty speaking -- and, at least for a while, she needed a feeding tube. Her story has a positive ending: after eleven years of recovery, she now appears able to lead a normal adult life, living on her own and working at the hospital's preschool daycare facility.

The Boston Globe carries a touching story on her in their Living/Arts section. Senator Tolman "has seldom spoken about his daughter's condition publicly," but did so for the story, talking about her challenges while growing up and recovering from the illness. I have heard a few longtime Brighton residents mention privately and quietly that his children have had some challenges to their health, but nobody has given any details beyond that -- an indication of how effectively Senator Tolman has closely-guarded the privacy of his family. The Globe story is definitely worth a read.

Free Children's Bicycle Helmets at Franciscan Hospital: Monday 6/11 at 2-5 pm

From the Boston Globe Sidekick (and A-B TAB Community Notes):

When we see kids riding bicycles without wearing a helmet, we become everyone's mother. Our "Hey, where's your helmet?" cry has been known to turn a few unprotected heads.

The good folks at the Franciscan Hospital for Children want to protect noggins, too, and today from 2 to 5 p.m., they will distribute 100 free bicycle helmets on a first-come-first-serve basis to kids from Greater Boston.

Bikers ages 5 to 11 will be measured for their headgear and also receive educational safety material. The helmets were donated by the Governor's Highway Safety Bureau. At other times, helmets are available for $5 by appointment.

Franciscan Hospital for Children, Pediatric Clinic, 30 Warren St., 617-779-1500. http://franciscanhospital.org