SPRINGVALE — Leslie Morissette has been named a hero for her work helping sick kids, but she said the designation more properly belongs to her son, Graham, for who Grahamtastic Connection is named.

Graham Morissette died 20 years ago of leukemia at age 8. A year or so afterward, his mother, Leslie, founded the nonprofit Grahamtastic Connection that provides laptop computers, iPads, and now, robots to sick kids so they can keep up with friends and school work. The robots actually go to school, while the students participate from home, or from the hospital.

Morissette was named a CNN Hero of the Week on March 16.  Since that time, when the program gained widespread national attention, two things have happened: There have been  increased requests from parents for robots and computers, and there have been more monetary donations to the program.  

“I trust it will all even out,” said Morrissette Tuesday. She estimated there have been at least 25 requests for robots, and many for iPads since the program on her and the organization aired.

In the mid-1990s, when Graham was ill, the internet was still relatively new. He had internet access  at home, and while he was sick he was able to keep up with school work and stay in touch with friends and relatives. But when he was in hospital — and he was, a lot — laptops were not as readily available.

But they are now, because of Grahamtastic Connection.

Morissette was nominated as a CNN hero by Lawrence O’Bryan, who works for WCSH 6  and is a Grahamtastic Connection volunteer. She said he nominated her “on a whim” last year, and then the vetting began, with CNN folks checking out the program — and Morissette — through interviews with social workers, nurses, members of the Grahamtastic Connection board, and others with whom she has come in contact over the years.

The program partners with Sanford Regional Technical Center for laptop, iPad and robot repairs and set ups. The students perform the work free and have done so for many years. They currently work under the direction of instructor Bruce Wooding.

The first robot came into play in 2012, sponsored by Ira Rosenberg of Prime Motor Group. Now there are 14 being utilized by sick kids, one placed in the past few days at a school in York County, and there’s another one, nicknamed “Snowball” at Carl J. Lamb School in Springvale.

A  2015 Journal Tribune story by staff writer Liz Gotthelf outlined how the robots operate.

Gotthelf wrote that the long, elegantly-styled  robot sports a video screen on the top,which allowed the student to video conference with her class. Her teacher and classmates could see her on the robot’s screen, and she was able to control the robot through her keyboard at home, moving it around to change her view of the classroom.

Over the years, Grahamtastic Connection has provided technology to 1,500 sick children.

Last year, Grahamtastic Connection hosted a robot race as a fundraiser, and plans another this summer.

About her designation as a hero, Morissette said, “My son is the hero in all this. I accept this honor for my son. I am so happy the world gets to see him and know him.”

Morissette also thanked those who support Grahamtastic Connection.

“This is a community award, said Morissette. “The community has been phenomenal in supporting our work.”

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or [email protected].