Former Lurie Children’s patient returns to Streeterville, Chicago hospital, performs for staff with Vernon Hills High School choir

CHICAGO (WLS) — The peaceful sounds of the season echoed throughout Lurie Children’s Hospital on Friday, thanks to Vernon Hills High School students.

This cheerful chamber choir lifts spirits with moving melodies for so many over the holidays.

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“It’s really nice, making people happy,” said Vernon Hills High School junior John Ziegelbauer. “It’s like spreading a nice message.”

For Ziegelbauer, this special performance for Lurie Children’s Hospital is, in many ways, his way of saying, “thank you.”

“I love the concept of saying, ‘thank you.’ The staff is so great here, and there were just so many nice people I met here,” Ziegelbauer said.

During his freshman year, Ziegelbauer was diagnosed with a rare chronic disease, making it nearly impossible for him to eat and drink without support.

He was admitted to Lurie Children’s Hospital for about three weeks during his freshman year, potentially jeopardizing his dream of singing with the Vernon Hills High School Chamber Choir.

“I was really concerned about being able to sing again,” Ziegelbauer said. “You almost forget about singing because it’s impossible to sing.”

Michelle Moran, Ziegelbauer’s mother, says even though her son was discharged from the hospital, he is still facing a lifetime of lifestyle changes, like changing his diet, to control the disease.

“It’s incredibly difficult when your child is sick,” Moran said.

Despite the new obstacles, Ziegelbauer never wavered on his musical ambitions.

“Just so proud of him. Really, really proud of him. He just never gave up,” Moran said.

He was ultimately selected to perform in the school’s chamber choir, making him one of the group’s youngest members at the time.

“To see where he started to where he is now, to see that he’s stuck with it,” said Vernon Hills Chamber Choir Director Jeremy Little. “To watch that quiet behind-the-scenes growth is pretty awesome.”

It is a moving holiday message for all of us to never give up or to lose hope.

“The thought of performing for the people who helped me, it’s nice feeling, like, maybe I am helping them,” Ziegelbauer said.

Looking to the future, Ziegelbauer says he hopes to pursue a career in health care after receiving care at Lurie Children’s Hospital.

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