THOMAS HINCH

If you spot a seven-year-old disguised as a bat it may be Thomas Hinch, a boy who was born to create. For the past three years, Thomas has explored the magic of the arts with his AFL teachers during each of his many visits to the hospital for Leukemia treatments. Using fabric, huge sheets of paper, and anything that will mark he has made dozens of bat, dragon, and animal drawings, sculptures, and bat outfits to wear around the hospital halls and beyond.

Thomas gets off the elevator on the 9th floor of Brenner Children’s Hospital and makes a beeline to join the busy activity at AFL’s art station. He brings his enthusiasm for art and a seriousness that leads to inventive projects.
He listens to his AFL teacher explain the planned daily lesson, and then brainstorms with excitement about the project he has been imaging and hoping to make at the art table.  He looks through the many books on the cart, and glances through all of the possible projects before deciding on a way to proceed. 

As Thomas chooses a project, he usually looks around and recruits a friend to join him at the table. One of Thomas’ favorite friends is Sydney, a young girl who also comes to the hospital for Leukemia treatments. When they are apart, Sydney makes cards for Thomas, stating in each one, “Thomas, I love you and you love me too.” And he does.  When Sydney isn’t at the table Thomas thinks of her too and makes her gifts of colorful drawings and magic fairy wands.

At the AFL art station, Thomas and Sydney can let their imaginations run wild and they can be anywhere they want to be. Thomas can imagine he is a Flying Catfish with red striped wings while Sydney sees herself as a giant dinosaur wearing pearls and lipstick. Through the compelling qualities of the arts, Sydney and Thomas can forget about their illnesses and feeling bad for a few hours and just be kids.