Hospital visit brings positive benefits to children in ward

All Blacks Patrick Tuipulotu (left) and Nathan Harris visit Lukas Bates  in the Dunedin Hospital...
All Blacks Patrick Tuipulotu (left) and Nathan Harris visit Lukas Bates in the Dunedin Hospital Children’s Ward. Photo by Christine O'Connor.
Several All Blacks were taken to Dunedin Hospital, just hours before their match with Wales at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday.

TJ Perenara, Nathan Harris, Patrick Tuipulotu and Damian McKenzie were not injured.

They were at the hospital for about half-an-hour visiting sick children in the Children's Ward.

One of the children was Lukas Bates, who has cerebral palsy, epilepsy, global development delay and is blind.

Godmother Vickie Hogg, of Dunedin, said although the 3-year-old has no idea who the All Blacks were, their visit to his room still spread a lot of cheer.

"He responds to males - he loves male voices, male touch - he can sense them through smell and feel.

"Even though he can't see them, this is definitely still really special for him.

"His eyes just shine and his face just glows when there's males around.''

Ms Hogg said despite Lukas not knowing who or what the All Blacks are, he was a big fan of sport, even though he can't see it or understand it.

"He listens to the All Blacks and other sports on TV. He smiles, there's kind of arm movements, you'll see a difference in his face - he looks brighter.

"It's just certain noises that he really responds to, and I think he likes sports, especially rugby, because there's lots of cheering.

"So, because of his disabilities, we've always encouraged clapping and positive sounds and ‘Yays' around him.''

Lukas was one of about 15 children on the ward to be visited by the All Blacks.

john.lewis@odt.co.nz

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