A band o’ pirates invaded patient rooms at Akron Children’s Hospital on Friday to share their booty with lads ’n lasses.
On Sept. 19 each year, neurologist Dr. Tom Enlow trades in his white coat for a pirate hat and eye patch and transforms into Captain Madd Dogg, as in M.D.
Along with other buccaneers from the NeuroDevelopmental Science Center, the captain passed out pirate-themed books, stuffed animals, stickers and other treasures to patients.
The merriment is part of International Talk Like a Pirate Day, a tongue-in-cheek holiday started as a joke between two friends from Oregon in 1995. The idea grew (sea) legs after syndicated columnist Dave Barry wrote a column about it in 2002.
When Enlow heard about the holiday several years ago on a radio show, the doctor decided it would be fun to bring the festivities to staff and patients at the hospital.
“Arrrgh we ready?” he asked before leading his crew through the hospital halls.
Each year, Enlow treats the staff to lunch and buys eye patches, stickers, bracelets and other treasures for treat bags to pass out to staff. A grant helps pay for the pirate-themed books, which are loaded on a cart decorated to look like a pirate’s ship.
“He doesn’t ask for donations,” said Anna Dusseau, fellowship coordinator for the NeuroDevelopmental Science Center and Enlow’s “first mate” in coordinating Talk Like a Pirate Day. “It’s just something he does.”
On Friday, the eyes of several young patients grew larger as they saw the neurologist-turned-swashbuckler walking the halls dressed in a billowy purple pirate’s shirt with a parrot perched on his shoulder.
“Holy crap!” exclaimed Madison Troyer, 4, of Holmes County, who was there to visit her sister, Brianna Lucas, 8.
“Oh, come here, you gotta get some of me treasure,” Enlow responded. “Do you know how to talk like a pirate? You say ‘Argh.’ Can you say, ‘Argh?’”
“Argh!” the girls enthusiastically responded.
Jazmyn Nevels, 7, of Akron, giggled when Enlow entered her room and told a pirate joke.
“Where do pirates like to eat lunch?” he asked.
“Where?”
“Arrr-bys.”
Her mom, Jahara, said the surprise visit brightened her daughter’s day.
“I think it’s wonderful, especially when they’re feeling so down and can’t go out and see friends,” she said. “I love it — and it helps her feel so much better.”
Cheryl Powell can be reached at 330-996-3902 or cpowell@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow Powell on Twitter at twitter.com/CherylPowellABJ.