Loopy Gonzalez

Biography

Described as a little Mexican girl who became Diana's friend in the hospital ward. Her parents lived in Chicago and frequently brought fruit and candy. Diana says she caught hair lice from Loopy. The girls raced wheelchairs and carts and dropped water balloons from the hospital roof.

Timeline

Childhood
Referral and repeated hospital stays in Chicago
Dr. Menton referred Diana to outpatient clinics, followed by several hospitalizations. She is unsure of their number and duration; the longest lasted several months to a year.
Diana's Chapter

Stories mentioning Loopy

Early Morning Journeys and Friendship in the HospitalDiana traces the unexplained falls and progressive skin and leg changes that led Dr. Menton to refer her to Illinois Research Hospital in Chicago. Early morning family drives combined the comforting smell of coffee and cheese sandwiches with the fear of examinations and long waits. As illness interrupted school, Mrs. Lynch tutored her at home. Repeated hospital stays brought painful procedures and treatments, but also friendship with Loopy Gonzalez, hallway races, water-balloon mischief, Friday hamburgers, parties, special dresses, chapel services, and visits from family and friends. She also remembers homemade food and a church-donated basket from which she could open one present each day.

Referenced in

Diana's Chapter

Family corrections

Notes sent in by the family and approved on review. They sit alongside the original record — the book's wording is never changed.

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