INDIANAPOLIS — Omarr Gadling says every day, not just Thursday, is a day of Thanksgiving.
"When you see the nurses and the techs and the other patients in this hospital, it causes you to be thankful for what you have," Gadling said.
The award-winning poet has spent the past two Thanksgivings at Riley Hospital for Children waiting on a heart transplant. He was born with a congenital heart condition.
He spends his days performing poetry on Facebook Live and doing Tai Chi along with other activities.
"I'm away from my family ... my motto is always stay busy and don't worry about what you can't control. Keep yourself occupied and just take it one day at a time," Gadling said.
Riley Children's Health shared a video of one of the poems.
"It's a form of expression for me, a form of release. It's like therapy to me; it's like my special gift and talent that God blessed me with," Gadling said. "I just do poetry to inspire and encourage people that may be going through challenges in their lives. It's just a blessing to have a gift."
The East Chicago native was recently surprised with the National Spoken Word Award for Overcomer of the Year.
To learn more about becoming an organ donor, visit the Indiana Donor Network.
RELATED: Indiana woman on mission to sign-up more organ donors
-
Westfield leaders ushering in growth with Park Street reimagining
Westfield city leaders have unveiled plans to transform a key commercial downtown corridor on Park Street.
Third grader inspired by MLK wants to 'make a change to the world'
A third-grade student at Vision Academy at Riverside says learning about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. has inspired her to think about how she can change the world when she grows up.
Funeral services announced for fallen Beech Grove Police Officer Brian Elliott
Beech Grove Police Officer Brian Elliott died in the line of duty while responding to a domestic violence call Monday night. He is being remembered by his community as a hometown hero.
Gun rights, sports bans, tariffs — key Supreme Court rulings on the horizon
From tariffs to gun rights to sports bans, the U.S. Supreme Court’s decisions this term could reshape interpretations of the Constitution on personal rights and presidential power.
