March may be Child Life Month, but not a day goes by that we aren’t in awe of the vast contributions made by The Cherese Mari Laulhere Child Life Department. And it looks like we aren’t alone. Here, 16-year-old Peyton Averitt explains how the Child Life team has impacted her journey as a CHOC patient.
Throughout my time as a patient at CHOC, I have been very fortunate to have met and grown close to the best Child Life specialists. I first heard about these professionals when I began weekly infusions at CHOC’s Outpatient Infusion Center (OPI). That is where I met child life specialist Ashley. Throughout my time at OPI, I also met Josh and Luke, two specialists who run Seacrest Studios. Then, when I moved to weekly inpatient infusions at CHOC, I met Emily. These four people showed me what the superheroes called Child Life specialists do — and now I have first-hand experience.
1. They bring and/or provide patients fun during their time at CHOC.
Sitting in infusion chairs and hospital beds all day can be boring, but Ashley and Emily made sure it wasn’t for me by bringing me things like Legos, paints, bracelet-making supplies, DVDs and more to enjoy throughout my treatments. Josh and Luke put on Bingo, trivia and other events in Seacrest Studios. They also did an activity with me; we made elephant keychains together.
2. They listen.
It may sound simple but it means so much for them to listen to me and my story. I spent 10 months going to OPI every week and three months admitted into the hospital for about 24 hours a week. My days there were filled with long chats with Ashley, Emily, Josh and Luke. Not only did they take interest in my health journey, but they also were interested in getting to know me as a person. My conversations with each of them, no matter how random the topic was, made me so happy, as it felt like just talking with a friend. They also took my mind off of the reason why I was at CHOC. Because of these conversations, I looked forward to seeing each of these Child Life specialists each week.
3. They explain procedures and calm nerves.
Ashley took away my nerves I had for being put under anesthesia the first time. She sat down with me for a half an hour and walked me through the procedure with an iPad, showing me pictures of every room and piece of medical equipment that would be used that day, and answering any questions I had. Then, during my weekly stays in the hospital, I had a port implanted. Emily was a crucial part in helping me make this decision, that I would say, changed my life for the better. She brought in a doll that had a port, and explained how it worked, and the procedure too.
4. They celebrate milestones and achievements, and even holidays.
These Child Life specialists were amazing in recognizing and celebrating my milestones and achievements during my medical journey at CHOC. On my last day at OPI, Ashley put together a bag of fun things to bring with me when I went into the hospital as an inpatient. On my last day of inpatient treatment — which was also the third anniversary of the start of my health journey — Emily, Ashley, Josh and Luke all came together to throw me a celebration. Emily was unfortunately not working that day, but she sent Ashley, Josh and Luke in to my room with a big poster signed by them and the unit’s nurses, as well as a super nice gift to use at the outpatient infusion center, outside of CHOC, that I “graduated” to. Additionally, they would bring gifts and activities for different holidays.
5. They make a huge difference.
CHOC would not be CHOC without the incredible Child Life specialists, and I would not have been able to get through all of this without them.
Each of these acts show the thoughtfulness that these Child Life specialists have, and how much they care for patients like me. Without Ashley, I have no clue how I would have gotten through my 10-month infusion journey at OPI. Without Emily, being hospitalized for about 24 hours every week for three months would have taken a huge toll on me. Without Josh and Luke, I would have been very bored and restless while sitting in those infusion chairs and hospital beds. All four of them have brought positivity to my health journey, something that might not have been so positive otherwise. Each of these Child Life specialists are all such kind-hearted, caring and special people, and I am so very grateful to have met them.
Child Life specialists are real-life superheroes.
