The story of JOANNE

1988 – Michael visits sick children again at the Great Ormond Street Hospital. He visits critically ill children and their parents where he spends longer time with the less critical patients, reserving words of comfort to them, reading them stories and delivering presents, including albums, signed photos and T-shirts. He associates himself with the “Wishing Well Fund” for sponsoring the construction of a novel unit, as part of the “Hospital for Sick Children” in Great Ormond Street, London, 

Caring star Michael Jackson wiped away the tears of some of Britain’s most tragic youngsters yesterday and replaced them with smiles of joy.He was determined to meet the patients of the Famous Great Ormond Street Hospital during his appearances in London.
And he reserved some of the most touching words of comfort for cruelly deformed youngster waiting for plastic surgery. Michael who had had his own face dramatically altered by surgery grabs one girls hand as she told him tearfully of her fears about a face op. Michael squeezed her hand and assured her “You’ve no need to worry just look at me”.
Then he toured the rest of the ward tenderly kissing deformed babies on their feet. Michael ringed by 5 burley minders next went to the hospitals Peter Pan Ward, named after the character he hopes to play in a film. The ward is reserved for the Great Ormond Street Hospital’s sickest children but after a few minutes Michael had the youngsters aged 5 to 15 out of their beds.
He even sat some on his knee and told them stories. Michael then beamed with joy as he handed out dozens of presents albums, photos and t shirts.

He told staff he was inspired by the bravery of these sick children. Some of them are very ill but they still managed to put on a smile. On delighted youngster was 9yr old Neil Clark who had just undergone life saving surgery to remove a brain tumour, Neil whose case was highlighted on TV this week was not on the schedule to see the star but Michael threw aside his plans and insisted on seeing him. Neil said ‘Now Michael is now my hero, he is absolutely brilliant.”“I can’t thank Michael Jackson enough he has cheered my son up no end” 

Another fan a 4 yr old name only as Joanne could hardly speak after a throat op but she struggled and uttered the word “Thriller” to a delighted Jackson. But the visit was almost too much for the 29 yr old star. 

He left the hospital close to tears. One of the aides remarked “Michael was very moved.” Hospital ward sister Judith Melville said “Michael obviously loves children and they love him. He has given our patients a day they will always remember.“

Look at the little child laughing with Michael

Here is the story from this little girl that was laughing in the photo with Michael, in this pic she is sat on his lap

'I have been a fan of Michael's since I was about 2 and thats when I first watched the Thriller video for the first time. Well I was blown away! I kept watching it on the video over and over again, much to my mum's annoyance! Ha ha. I was born with a narrowing in my windpipe and had to spend a lot of the first 7 years of my life in Great Ormond Street Hospital, London. It was there, I had to have an emergency Tracheotomy operation. In July 1988 when I was nearly 4, I happened to be in the hospital having yet another procedure done. One of the nurses took my mum to one side and said ''Don't say anything to Joanne or the other children, but Michael Jackson is coming to visit the ward'' Well my mum was gobsmacked. But she never said a word. She told me to stand at the main door of the ward corridor and all I said at the top of my voice was ''MICHAEL JACKSON!!!!!!!'' and I held my arms out. Apparantly my mum siad he smiled and one of his entourage laughed. He sat down and was chatting to me. I couldn't just about speak after another throat operation and I managed to say ''Thriller'' and he asked my mum ''What does she mean by that?'' My Mum replied ''She watches your video all the time'' He said ''I'm glad you liked it'' and smiled. He signed a photo and his 1988 BAD tour programme, which I still have and I sat on his lap and has photographers take photos. Then he left because he had other wards to visit. Its a shame I can't remember anymore than saying ''Thriller''. But I can remember how excited I was and 23 years later, I will never forget it. It feels such a honour to meet him, he made us all forget of the operations and stuff we had ahead of us back then. I was staying with my Dad when I heard that he had passed away. Like everyone else all over the world, I was just in total shock. I couldn't believe it, I thought someone was joking around with me and then I turned Sky News on and well I was just lost for words.

I just hope now Michael Jackson can rest in peace. He was a good person like everyone else.

http://www.michaeljackson.com/us/users/joanne84