In a touching display of community spirit, the construction crew from OCP Contractors—a proud AWCI member company—has turned a standard job site into a source of daily inspiration for a four-year-old girl awaiting a heart transplant.
Working on the new Neurological Institute at the Cleveland Clinic, carpenter Devan Nail and his teammates noticed a flickering light from the window of the children’s hospital across the street. That small signal sparked a life-changing connection with Brinley Wyczalek, who has been hospitalized since October due to heart failure.
A Signal of Support
What began with a simple “Get Well Soon” sign in a construction window has blossomed into a daily ritual of hope:
- Daily Greetings: Every day at 3:05 pm, the OCP crew gathers to wave and signal heart shapes with their hands to Brinley’s room.
- Messages of Strength: The team frequently tapes up new signs, including one that reads: “Not All Superheroes Wear Capes, Some Wear Pigtails and Smiles.”
- Tangible Kindness: Beyond waves, the workers delivered a gift basket containing a teddy bear, pajamas and—most significantly—a hard hat signed by every member of the crew.
- Financial and Emotional Aid: The workers contributed to the family’s GoFundMe and provided an LED heart light for Brinley’s window. When the light is on, the crew knows she is doing okay.
The Impact on Healing
Brinley’s medical team emphasizes that this bond is more than just a sweet gesture; it is a vital part of her clinical care. Dr. Shahnawaz Amdani, her pediatric cardiologist, noted that a patient’s mental health significantly impacts the outcome of major operations like a heart transplant.
For Brinley—who is currently tethered to a Berlin Heart device—these interactions break the monotony of hospital life and provide the “nurturing of the soul” necessary to keep fighting.
While Brinley continues to wait for a donor, she knows she has a dedicated “work crew” across the street rooting for her every single day.
Read the full article at the Washington Post.