 At the age of 5, I was admitted to the hospital to have my tonsils removed. At that time, many years ago, they did not allow parents to stay with their children overnight. As a very scared little girl, I was offered no explanation on a level I could understand of the things I would experience through touch, sight, smell, taste, and hearing. So the only coping mechanism I was left with was that of memory loss. Here is what I remember of that experience:
• Struggling to fight a mask over my face used for anesthesia
• Ice cream
• My mother coming to take me home
Nothing else. As a protective mechanism, the only thing my memory has allowed me to remember are things related to survival and comfort.
Children often have to confront stressful and potentially traumatic events that can overwhelm their natural ability to cope and heal. Because they process information from the world around them differently than adults, they have distinct needs for managing the effects of stress and trauma. Today, there is no need for a child to experience such fear, anxiety, loneliness, and confusion without interventions to help them cope, understand, and manage these experiences. Without such interventions, these emotions can inhibit their natural development, and have lasting negative effects on their well-being.
Child life specialists are trained professionals with expertise in helping children and their families overcome life’s most challenging events. They are experts in child development and promote effective coping through play, preparation, education and self-expression activities. Understanding that a child’s well-being depends on the support of the family, child life specialists provide information, support and guidance to parents, siblings and other family members. They also provide education to the healthcare team about the needs of children under stress.
Danielle Ennis is the child life specialist at Baptist Medical Center South. Listed below are many of the services she provides:
• Easing a child’s fear and anxiety with therapeutic and recreational play
• Encouraging understanding and cooperation about procedures, tests, and surgeries
• Activities to promote play
• Coordination of special events, entertainment, and activities
• Consideration of the needs of siblings and other family members affected by the child’s illness or trauma
• Support for families confronting grief and bereavement issues
• Educational resources for parents and members of the healing team
March is Child Life month and the Pediatric Department at Baptist South is proud to offer this exceptional service to the children of Montgomery and surrounding counties.
Diann Smyth is a native of Montgomery and received her nursing education from St. Margaret’s Hospital School of Nursing. For the past 27 years, she has served as the nurse manager for Pediatrics, a field in which she is nationally certified. She and her husband, Rodger, are long standing members of Frazer Memorial United Methodist Church. She and Rodger have two children, Jennifer and Jonathan, and one grandchild, Michael, whose parents are Jennifer and Alan Burr. Her hobbies include sewing, scrapbooking and flower arranging.
Resource: Child Life: Empowering Children and Families to Cope with Life’s Challenges
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