You all know Roman Josi and Mike Fisher as a couple of the star players for the Nashville Predators. You know how hard they fight along side of their teammates. But there is another side to them that you may not know about. Let me introduce you to their hearts…

Roman Josi is a huge supporter of our special needs community and has donated in multiple ways to help grow our Best Buddies Organization here in TN who fight for inclusion for special needs individuals. The Best Buddies events is where I ‘met’ him, aka ‘photographed him’ as I was volunteering to shoot these events. Seeing him in action first hand and everything he’s done for us is just astounding to me. At age 26 he is mature beyond his years. He and Mike Fisher have hearts that could melt the very ice they skate on. Let me explain why…

I’ll introduce myself for those of you who do not know me. My name is Stephanie Mullowney, owner and founder of Paperdolls Photography. I specialize is special needs Portraiture and began a Limited Edition Collection last year called, “The Ribbons Collection”. It features anyone at all who represents an awareness ribbon of any kind. 

There is a little 2 year old boy in our community named, Trip, who has been fighting an aggressive cancer called, Rhabdomyosarcoma. We thought he had beat it, but then it came back with a vengeance only 2 months later. It started in his bladder and has spread to his lungs. There was nothing else the doctors could do and they sent him home to hospice care. His grandmother and I arranged a photo session for Trip and also for his little brother who has Down Syndrome (who will later be involved in the DSAMT community) so I can add them to the Ribbons Collection. Trip was unable to sit up during his session due to the size of his tumor and the pain it caused so we opted for ‘lifestyle’ type shots for him to make him most comfortable, and just let them all enjoy each other while I took the shots. These are very real images, no fluff, no photoshop to remove tape and tubes from his face, but a very real perspective of what this family is fighting. Here is where Roman Josi and Mike Fisher come in…

I saw a video Trip’s grandmother had posted of Trip cheering on the Nashville Predators as they played in their Stanely Cup finals, calling them, “his friends”, as he was in the hospital hooked up to a smorgasbord of machines. So I wanted to make his session even more special for him so I contacted Roman knowing it would be a long shot for him to even see my message among his plethora recent fan mail, but I tried anyway and hit the send button. Just a few hours later I get a message back from him saying he would love to come to make this little boys wish come true! I immediately broke down into tears knowing how much this would mean to this family. The Preds landed in Nashville after playing their big game in PA , and literally drove straight to this families home almost an hour away. Not only did Roman Josi show up, but he brought Mike Fisher with him, 2 autographed hockey sticks and a puck! Needless to say, they surprised us ALL!!! 

This sweet 2 year old boy got the surprise of his life in this VIDEO  you can find on the Paperdolls Photography FB Page and an unforgettable photo session his family will never forget. Our hearts were all gushing over the immense love these two hockey players have for others. These are the types of things you never really hear about in the news so I want to shine a light on these two amazing gentlemen along side 102.9 The Buzz and WVLT TV KNOXVILLE. These guys took the time out of their Stanley Cup games to take time to spend these precious moments with this family. The Nashville Predators do not need a Stanley Cup to win us over, their hearts have already done that <3 #standwithus #gopreds! I am a fan for life!!!

You can donate to Trip HERE and help his family with the overwhelming medical bills they have incurred during this tragic time. For special planning services for any individual going through similar difficult times please take a look at ENABLE.

” My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26

“A friend loveth at all times” Proverbs 17:17

” God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1

“But those who hope in the LORDwill renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 43:2

“He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3