Kinsler Matheson, 5, has spent his fair share of time at Batson Children’s Hospital as a patient, but these days he enjoys going back to spread some joy to patients still there.

Kinsler, the son of Valerie and Kenneth Matheson, was born at 26 weeks, weighing 1 lb 6 oz, and he spent six and a half months in the NICU.

“He spent a lot of his first year there in Batson, and in December 2011, he was airlifted from here with heart and respiratory failure, and he was in coma for three weeks,” Valerie said. “They didn’t know if he was going to live or not or make it through the first night.”

His mother said he will always suffer from chronic illnesses, but he’s interested in giving back to those who are spending their days inside of the hospital.

“One year we did Adopt A Floor, and the next year we started doing these gift bags to give back to the other kids who were still there,” she said. “We knew what it was like to be there for every single holiday and feeling left out.”

Kinsler began by giving out gift bags on his birthday instead of getting gifts, and he’s continued each year since.

“He likes to go and give bags to the sick kids who are there,” Valerie said. “That’s what he says, ‘it’s for the sick kids!’”

The Mathesons have gone to give out gift bags four times now.

“The first one we did for his birthday, and the last three my aunt pretty much paid for everything herself,” Valerie said. “We do one once a year now.”

Valerie and Kinsler’s aunt who funded the majority of the bags requested to remain unnamed.

“This has truly taught us about what it really means to give back,” the aunt said. “You just give it, and you’re just thankful to be able to give it.”

Over the years, Kinsler and his family have given out nearly 400 bags to children at Batson.

“They’re full of things to keep kids entertained, things to keep them busy and keep their minds off of being sick and being lonely,” Valerie said.

“There’s coloring books, puzzles, drawing books, toys, trucks, cars and Barbies. Anything that a typical child would want.”

Though the adults are facilitating everything, Kinsler enjoys handing out gifts.

“I think he loves doing it,” Valerie said. “I know he loves going. Every time we go, he’s really excited to go.”

Follow Kinsler’s story with the hashtag #TeamKinsler.