Why I Extra Life: Transforming Power

This post was written by Nate “TB”, Extra Lifer playing for Seattle Children’s Hospital. You can learn more about Extra Life at extra-life.org. 

Before the name was born, I was a gamer. At my 3-year-old birthday party, I played Broderbund games for hours. I found Carmen San Diego. I unlocked the secrets of Myst, rescued princesses, won home run derbies, and captured Pokémon. I dunked flaming basketballs, built sprawling cities, and time traveled to save the world from Lavos.

My junior year in High School, I harnessed the best reason for staying up all night, video games. We unloaded candy stashes, set up multiple T.Vs, and began our endless battle with Wily and Sigma. A few hours in our thumbs bruised from mashing the NES controllers. When the Sun rose, we closed in on victory, but ultimately thwarted by the wretched Mega Man 8.

Games are art to me. Pixelated canvases that transport players to vast worlds. Like a book, they open up new possibilities. You become a chef, a deep-sea diver, or an elite Spartan tasked with saving the world. Video game masterpieces help you to see the world in a new way.

The Other World

In one of my favorite games, Chrono Cross, players travel between parallel worlds. For me the parallel world was that of special needs friends. My mom was an occupational therapist. I traveled to her student’s first haircuts, job training, therapies, and even helped build a house for one family. We shared meals, played together, and went to church together. We grew up together. We lived life together.

Immersed in the lives of families with special needs children, I heard and witnessed the pain and joys. Siblings shared that their brother and sister were more than a burden. More than an inspiration to make normal people feel good. They are beloved people with gifts, joys, and value.

Time spent with medically complex children and families changed who I am. The lessons they taught me have stayed with me over the years the way no teacher’s lecture or presentation ever could. They have changed my heart and molded me into the person I am today. I am eternally grateful. Because of Megan, Dave, Paul, Matt, Marajenna, Rashan, Bella, and so many others, I have been transformed. No gift, or donation, will ever pay my debt to them. They taught me what it means to be human.

A Defeat

Standing at midfield of a high school soccer game, I stared blurry-eyed at the ball. I could not breathe. For months, I had battled a persistent cough. Now I gasped for crisp air to fill my lungs. Tears filled my eyes as my body desperately searched for oxygen.

The explanation for the persistent cough eluded us for months. Active airways disease? Residual flu symptoms? My parents began to worry as my coughs echoed down the hall at all hours of the night.

While preparing for college, I had several medical tests performed. I returned to the doctor to have them examine a skin test. It was then that we discovered I had contracted Tuberculosis. The world slowed in that moment. I clung to any answer that preserved my sense of normal. Faulty test or inaccurate reading seemed more plausible as I was not coughing up blood like many famous TB victims had.

Through research into curing diseases, medical teams caring and working for positive outcomes, I got a second chance. A disease that was once a game over, was now only a continue. My extra life came complete with a new nickname that I proudly wear as a reminder.

Extra Life

Gamers covet the rare extra life. It is a second chance at victory. A second chance to accomplish what you dream of. It is a second chance to explore. A second chance at life.

Each week I see people who could use a 1-up green mushroom as I sit at my desk at Seattle Children’s Hospital. There I witness miracles each day. Today a patient left the hospital for the first time in their life. To celebrate the nurses gathered for a bubble parade. Big brother squealed for joy as he ran through bubbles showering down upon him. Other times I have witnessed nurses and doctors holding families in dire moments, crying with them. This is life in the hospital. It is vibrant, painful, beautiful, and diverse. Each moment is an honor for me to serve alongside such wonderful people for the vulnerable, brave kids and families.

One evening a Charge Nurse on my floor told me about Extra Life. Knowing the faces of those who I would be supporting I knew it was time. Time to grab my controller and saddle up for one more marathon. One run at the last boss.

Remember gamers, it is dangerous to go alone. So take this. Take this Extra Life. We need it, and we need you.

Game on!

You can share your Why I Extra Life story by visiting: childrensmiraclenetworkhospitals.org/guest-post and be sure to sign up for Extra Life to help heal kids in hospitals across North America.