The Vice President wasn't the only person by the name of Pence in Syracuse Tuesday. Second Lady Karen Pence visited Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital to sit in on some art therapy with a patient and share some of her own art.
She avoided any comments about the key children’s issue gripping the nation.
“I drew a drawing for you over there,” DJ LaRock told Karen Pence.
“You did?” she replied. “Oh my gosh, I love it.”
14 year old D. J. LaRock of Oswego then worked with the 2nd Lady on art therapy, designed to relieve stress and help communication for children facing serious health problems. Karen Pence joined D. J. painting, a normal activity when he’s in the hospital.
“Tell me what you think a bout when you come and do art,” Pence asked.
“It calms me down a little bit,” LaRock answerd. “Relaxing.”
D. J. Has cystic fibrosis…and has been in the hospital this time around for several days.
Golisano Interim Medical Director Doctor Ann Botash says art and music therapy can benefit patients with all kinds of conditions.
“It’s both a social and a mental way of improving your health. It’s an effort to heal not only your body but everything that goes along with when you’re ill.”
Botash adds Golisano is fortunate to have art and music therapy for child patients because she truly believes they help provide better medical outcomes.
The 2nd Lady’s event was limited to the art therapy visit, where she also handed out her own designed coloring books to 4-year-old Cameron Cruz and other patients. Mrs. Pence did not answer any questions about policy, such as the child separation issue with immigrants at the border, upon which 1st Lady Melania Trump has spoken out. Her visit coincided with Vice President Mike Pence’s appearance at a GOP fundraiser for Congress Member John Katko, where he couldn’t avoid the feelings of protestors such as Katie Feyh.
“Wherever Pence shows up, wherever Trump shows up, wherever these anti-immigrant bigots show up, wherever ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) shows up, we need to be there letting them know how unwelcome they are, and how welcome immigrants are.”
Pence has also been notably silent on the child separation issue … only saying last week that he believes democratic stonewalling is preventing immigration reform.
He made a visit to Auburn's Nucor Steel plant where he gave remarks, including a repeat of Trump administration's take on the immigration issue.
"We only have one of two options .... We can either release all illegal immigrant families, including minors who show up at our southern border. Or we can prosecute adults for teh federal crime of illegal entry. Neither of these options solve the probl;em that we face today. And that's whey President Trump called on congress to pass immigration reform; pass immigration right away."
He added that he expects congress to consider immigration reform this week that helps build a wall at the border, resolve the status of those brought into the country through no fault of their own, and allow families to be detained together.
