Community Corner

Child Healing from Cancer Gets New Beginning with Room Makeover

Becca Mueller's bedroom held many difficult memories after her two-and-a-half years of cancer treatment. With help from Special Spaces Chicagoland and Bedrooms4Kids in Tinley Park, she's looking forward to happier times within those four walls.

—By Lauren Williamson

It’s hard not to tear up while watching an ecstatic Becca and Julia Mueller enter their redecorated bedroom for the first time.

These two little girls from La Grange Park have been through a lot.

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Becca was diagnosed with leukemia in August 2010—just eight months after her grandmother received the same horrible news.

Starting at age 7, Becca, now 10, underwent two-and-a-half years of chemo, along with radiation and a cocktail of medications that weakened her bones to the point that she now walks with crutches. Her best friend is her sister, Julia, 8, who’s bravely stood by Becca throughout her illness and recovery.

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But the sisters added some joyful memories to the heartbreaking ones their bedroom holds when Special Spaces Chicagoland made it over on July 13.

“It’s like a new page for Becca and Julia for everything they’ve been through,” said Barb Mueller, the girls’ mom.

Now vibrant fuchsia walls and hula-hoop size peace signs enliven the space. There’s a drawing of Becca’s favorite musician, Elvis—they share the same birthday—and a volleyball for Julia.

The crown jewel of the room is a white, wooden bunk bed, just like the girls asked for.

“It’s just amazing how 15 people took time out of their life to come to our house and makeover this room for our kids,” Mueller said. “... That was unbelievable. No way could we ever have done this for our own kids right now.”

'A Little Bit of Destiny'

The Muellers connected with Special Spaces, based in Naperville, through the children’s cancer clinic at Advocate Christ Medical Center.

Kelly Knox, director of Special Spaces Chicagoland, reached out to the Muellers after other families and staff at Christ recommended them for a pick-me-up.

“They’re a wonderful family that could teach us all a lot about life,” she said.

While Special Spaces coordinates the manpower to complete room makeovers, it relies on sponsors to pay for the furniture and materials, which typically run about $3,000.

“Our goal is to give them something fresh and new and make them feel it’s not just family and friends that care about them,” Knox said. “It’s all of us. We’re just trying to make the world a better place.”

The Muellers quickly got a sponsor, but the arrangement fell through shortly before the makeover.

By chance, Barb Mueller called Tina Laskaris at Bedrooms4Kids in Tinley Park to ask about the availability of the much-coveted bunk bed. Just two weeks earlier, Laskaris had seen a segment about Special Spaces on the news. She fell in love with the group’s mission and now had an opportunity to get involved.

“I don’t know if it was fate or a little bit of destiny,” Laskaris said.

She called Knox and said she’d like to donate the bed. But when Knox told her the family’s sponsor had fallen through, Laskaris didn’t hesitate.

“She said, ‘OK, I’m sponsoring this child,’” Knox said.

Laskaris sold key-shaped charms and raised $1,600, which she subsidized with an additional $2,400 worth of furniture. Her niece, Jessica Laskaris, had tickets to see One Direction in Tinley Park with her friend Bree Gevelinger. The young women, too, were moved by the Muellers story and offered their tickets so Becca and Julia could cap off their special weekend with the concert.

“It’s one of those things that you say how could you not do it once you meet them,” Laskaris said. “It gives you a little perspective on your life and reminds you that sometimes someone else needs a helping hand.”

Looking Ahead with Hope

Nearly eight months out of treatment, Becca is eager to start fifth grade this fall, where she’ll be in the advanced math class. She has a full head of thick, dark hair and is at a healthy weight. Her smile is lively and bright.

She and Julia giggled in delight as they entered their new room, exclaiming "awesome" again and again as they noticed details from the pink painted vents to the full-length mirror.

“If you see her, you wouldn’t think she’s been through all this mess,” Mueller said.

Becca will need a hip replacement when she’s grown a little more because of her steroid-induced bone condition. She wishes she could turn back time, Mueller said, but she also understands how lucky she is to have come out of the other side of this battle.

“Nothing scares this kid,” said Mueller, noting her daughter’s eagerness to ride the tallest roller coasters at Six Flags. “She says, ‘Really Mom. What can I really be afraid of?’”

And now Becca can feel even more comfort and security in her bedroom, a refuge lit with a sparkling chandelier that symbolizes both how far she’s come and all the hope that lies ahead.

Visit Special Spaces Chicagoland's Facebook page for more information on the organization, or call Kelly Knox at 312-343-2032. 


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