She brings loads of smiles and fun to hospitalized children!

When Malia Litman, who has MS, started volunteering in the library of a children's hospital, her heart broke seeing the kids sad and anxious. Then she started dressing up in fun, colorful costumes and, suddenly, her visits elicited smiles and joy

- Lisa Kanarek

Malia Litman, maneuvered her red scooter through the halls of Children’s Medical Center Dallas and turned into the radiology waiting area. Wearing an ice cream–patterned dress, pink tights and a colorful wig, she stopped by a woman and her two children.

“Did you know it’s National Ice Cream Day?” Malia asked, reaching into her toy-filled basket. She handed a plastic icecream cone to the girl and another to the boy. Then, suddenly, a yellow foam “ice cream” scoop flew out of the cone through the air—it was connected to a string! The children giggled, forgetting for a few minutes about the stress of their hospital visit.

The power of silly

Malia, a retired attorney, is no stranger to hospitals, having put herself through law school by working as a nurse in the ICU. The 66-year-old also understands the fear that comes with a frightening medical diagnosis, remembering what it was like when she heard the words “multiple sclerosis” 25 years ago.

When her condition worsened eight years ago, Malia took action and found a stem cell study. Happily, she was approved to participate and experienced significant improvement. Grateful, she wanted to give back to the medical community and decided to volunteer at the children’s hospital.