JamJune 2020 Number 2. I’m drawing one MJ fanart piece everyday of June inspired by his Humanitarian work and awards he won.
“Leslie Robinette was 6 years old when she first met Michael Jackson.
An ailing little girl with barely any hair and a swollen stomach, Robinette suffered then, as now, from aplastic anemia caused by the genetic disease fanconi anemia, which she describes as being "like a little Pac-Man going after all your bone marrow."
Jackson was only 15. Robinette now believes he must have been more nervous than she was.
"I was sitting in my room looking out the window, ironically listening to 'Looking Through the Window' by the Jackson 5, when I heard all the nurses going wild and carrying on," Robinette said.She looked through the plate glass that was her only connection to the busy hospital and saw The Jackson 5 standing there."They asked me which one I wanted to see, and I said I wanted to see Michael - he was the cute one," Robinette said, laughing.
She described the teenage Jackson as obviously shy but incredibly kind and sincere. He gave her an autographed picture, held her hand and asked her how she was doing."It had been so long since I'd touched someone not wearing gloves, and I saw hair instead of just a green cap with eyeballs peeking out," said Robinette.After that visit, Robinette started getting better.
she is now 42 and lives an active life.Like Jackson, she has a strong passion for animals. She is involved in North American Riding for the Handicapped Association and currently is training to become an instructor."I've always felt that Michael and I were kind of kindred spirits, because we both grew up not being able to really go anywhere or do anything normal kids do," Robinette said.Leslie was sitting in her rocking chair when Trine called to tell her about Jackson's death, and she was upset by the news.Both sisters agree that people can say what they want about Michael Jackson, but he did a lot of good and they hope that is what he will be remembered for. And, of course, his music.”
Source: Beth Ann Walker for knoxnews.com | Written June 27, 2009
