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
-
Officer fires at Connersville burglary suspect; no serious injuries reported
Indiana State Police are investigating after a Connersville police officer fired at a burglary suspect on Thursday.
Diego Morales ‘confident’ he will be renominated after endorsements pulled
U.S. Sen. Jim Banks and Attorney General Todd Rokita have withdrawn their endorsements of Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales ahead of the November election.
Teen suspects held clerk at gunpoint for chips, vapes during robbery, IMPD says
Three teen suspects were taken into custody early Saturday morning following a string of robberies on Indy’s east side, according to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.
Carmel man accused of using fake sheriff's badge to enter IMS
A Carmel man was arrested after allegedly using a fake Marion County Sheriff's badge to get into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on two occasions during busy race season.
