COVID-19 Service Journey

During the COVID-19 pandemic, news and stories of challenges and losses faced by hospitals, healthcare workers, and families were filled all over news reports and social media; for many of them were distant and heartbreaking. At this time, Alyssa was able to resonate in a deeply personal way as she was able to connect her to her own beginnings in her life and build an inspiration for a heartfelt act of service that would be a first step in her service journey.

When Alyssa was born, she was born as a premature baby, facing life-threatening medical complications, including a cerebral hemorrhage shortly after birth. Her condition was very critical, and her future was very uncertain. But with the love, support, and care from a team of skilled and compassionate doctors, nurses, and caregivers in the hospital where she was born in as well as her parents, Alyssa overcame it, being considered a miracle.

Years later, with the lockdown happening due to the global health crisis, Alyssa was able to listen to her story when she was born from her parents, as well as her medical record. Listening and reflecting on that chapter of life, as well as seeing the pressure and exhaustion endured by today’s frontline hospitals and workers, reminded Alyssa of the people who had once done the same to save her life. That realization sparked her mind with a question of what she could do to do the same and provide support to them, in a way that was both personal and meaningful.

Based on her passion for music, Alyssa decided to create a heartfelt thank-you video message. She recorded a violin performance duet with a message of gratitude to the hospital that had once been her lifeline. With the music pieces of Ave Maria and Amazing Grace, it was more than a performance - a letter of gratitude in musical form, sent across time to those who had changed her life.

The response that Alyssa received was also very deeply touching. The workers, physicians, and staff at the Sparrow hospital were able to recognize Alyssa from her time there. Emails were constantly communicated and exchanged back and forth, sharing memories, and what began as a simple thank-you evolved into a reconnection. Her story brought joy and comfort during one of the most difficult times in modern healthcare.

Compared to what Alyssa had expected, her message was widely shared and spread. Her video and story were soon featured on Fox47 News as well as the University of Michigan Health Medicine article. But beyond media, this moment really was a turning point for Alyssa and provided a deeper purpose as a start in her service journey.

This act of giving back the support and care she once received before brought a commitment in Alyssa to further take action and be interested in service. With gratitude and advocacy, she began to explore new ways of supporting others and soon created her own youth organization called “Hidden Figures.” By always reminding herself of direct involvement and storytelling, she ensures that it is important to have especially youths be inspired and think more positively, instead of academically.

In a world where we tend to focus on achievement and only results, Alyssa’s story reminds us of the importance of remembering where we come from and of giving back what we got to those who helped shape our lives. Through music and the sincerity of her heart, Alyssa turned reflection into action and gratitude into service. This really shows how even the smallest acts of kindness can bring a change.

To check out some of the actual articles for further information, here are the following links:
https://www.fox47news.com/yes/yestohealth/with-love-from-south-korea-teen-delivers-heartfelt-message-to-sparrow-caregivers

https://www.uofmhealthsparrow.org/news/south-korea-teen-has-heartfelt-message-caregivers