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CNN Live Today

Interview with Conner, Robin Mitchell

Aired July 30, 2002 - 10:46   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: If you were with us yesterday, you might recall, we were talking to the doctor who was treating the three miners who were still in the hospital. The doctor held up a picture of a child's drawing of the coal miners' rescue. A great, great picture. And we wanted to get to the story behind the artist.

The artist is a 5-year-old boy. His name is Conner Haggins (ph), and he and his mother, Robin Mitchell, are joining us to talk about the story behind the picture, and his inspiration in drawing it -- good morning to both of you.

ROBIN MITCHELL, MOTHER OF CONNER: Good morning.

KAGAN: Good morning, Conner.

CONNER HAGGINS (ph), YOUNG ARTIST: Good morning.

KAGAN: Good to have you with us, you guys. Robin, mom, I am going to start with you first.

MITCHELL: OK.

KAGAN: When did you know that your artist in residence was back there working on this masterpiece?

MITCHELL: When he asked his father and I if he could please stay home from church to make this picture, so he could rush it right down to the hospital as soon as he finished.

KAGAN: Conner, we loved this picture so much when we saw it on television yesterday. I wonder, because we're putting it up right now so the folks at home can see it, can you tell us about the things that you drew in there? Like the helicopter, and the crane...

CONNER: I got the rescue basket on the crane, and then another one is on the crane, too.

KAGAN: Let me see what else I see. And I see the word -- did you write "To the miners," or did somebody help you write that?

CONNER: I did it.

KAGAN: How did you know how to draw such a great helicopter? Where did you learn how to do that? CONNER: I just practiced...

KAGAN: Yes...

CONNER: ... making it.

KAGAN: That is one of the best helicopters I have seen in a long time. Now, mom...

CONNER: Thank you.

KAGAN: Oh, you're welcome. And he has good manners, mom, on top of being a great artist. So he -- he not only drew this picture, but he wanted to take it down to the hospital where the miners were being treated.

MITCHELL: Yes. As soon as -- as soon as his dad got home from church, he was in such a hurry to take it right down to Conemaugh Hospital, so he was sure that the miners would get the picture, and it was just incredible. We didn't expect -- we walked into the emergency room and they took it right up, I guess, to them, and Dr. Dumire was quite impressed with the picture from what we understood, and it has been framed, and the plans are to hang it in the emergency room at Conemaugh Hospital. So that's pretty exciting.

KAGAN: Yes. That's exactly what Dr. Dumire told us too, that they want to frame it and hang it up there in the hospital.

MITCHELL: Yes.

KAGAN: I imagine, Conner, since you guys don't really know the miners, he was learning the story by watching on television.

MITCHELL: That's correct.

KAGAN: And as a parent -- I know a lot of parents are concerned about kids watching stuff on television. Were you worried this was going to be too scary for him?

MITCHELL: We do shield some of the things from him, but he -- his area of interest is so much of that type of stuff, with the drilling and the tractors and the helicopters.

CONNER: Mommy, my thing fell out.

MITCHELL: He was very much interested in all of that, and it was a miracle. You know, why not let a child watch a miracle taking place, and for him to draw what he did -- that was just incredible.

CONNER: Just incredible. I think Conner's earpiece fell out. I don't know if he -- Conner, can you still hear me? Yes, I don't think he can hear me. As I understand, he plans on starting kindergarten in a few weeks.

CONNER: Yes.

MITCHELL: He will start kindergarten...

KAGAN: Oh, now you can hear me, Conner.

MITCHELL: There you go.

KAGAN: You are starting kindergarten pretty soon?

CONNER: Yes.

KAGAN: And are you thinking about maybe what you want to be when you grow up? What do you talk about with mommy when you talk about when you grow up?

MITCHELL: What to you want to be? You talk about it all the time.

CONNER: (UNINTELLIGIBLE)

MITCHELL: Well, tell them.

KAGAN: Tell me.

CONNER: Fire engine guy.

KAGAN: A fire engine guy. Well, Conner, I think you will be a great fire engine guy...

CONNER: Thank you.

KAGAN: ... and you are already a great artist, and we love your picture, and we're so happy you could fit it in your busy schedule to come down here and talk with us. And good luck in kindergarten.

CONNER: OK.

MITCHELL: Thank you.

KAGAN: And to mom, Robin Mitchell. Thank you.

MITCHELL: Thank you very much.

KAGAN: Thanks for stopping by. Great picture.

MITCHELL: Sure.

KAGAN: Appreciate it.

MITCHELL: Thanks.

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