So Page Me, Maybe?

In celebration of Play Therapy Week, Sydney Children's Hospital staff and patients put together this video parody of Carly Rae Jepson's "Call Me Maybe". The lyrics are hilarious and absolutely true to
 the Child Life Profession.
Enjoy! 

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"Freddy came in unwell, what's up his nose he won't tell.

I look to you for some help, and now you're coming this way.

I'll trade you stickers for deets. Has it been up there for weeks?

I wasn't prepared for this, but now you're here so hey!

Freddy's stare was holding, frowning, arms were folded,

(I can't make out this next line!
 But we get the point of what happened!)
CHORUS:

Hey, I just met you! And this is crazy 

But here's my number, so page me maybe?

Kids dislike procedures, but that don't phase me.

So here's my number, just page me maybe!

Hey, I just met you! And this is crazy 

But here's my number, so page me maybe?

And all the other wards try to chase me,

But here's my number, so page me maybe.
You took your time with the call, now this kid's climbing the walls.

You gave 'em no prep at all, and now they're FREAKIN' out!

Those photos, this is unreal. She's showing me what's the deal.

I didn't know how I'd feel, but now I'm finding out.

A mask you're holding, fitted gown,
ID tag showing, the bed wheels are rolling

Off to (Again, can't make out the word!) baby!
[CHORUS]
Before you came into my life, I missed you so bad.

And you should know that, so page me maybe!"
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SOURCES: The Child Life Council's Facebook Page &
Sydney Children's Hospital Foundation YouTube Channel

The Remedy is the Experience

I bet you know this song, but do you know the story behind it?
This video from Good Morning America shows an interview with Jason Mraz & one of his best friends, Charlie Mingroni. Charlie Mingroni was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma of the Collar Bone at the age of 20 & had to endure a rigorous course of Chemotherapy and Radiation. Charlie has been in remission since 2002. 

This song (particularly the first/second verse & chorus) tells a story, inspired by Charlie but told from the view of his best friend, of overcoming the dark times while keeping your eyes on the bigger picture. 

Watch from 0:01 - 3:00 for the story & 3:10 - 6:59 for the song.

Excerpt from Remedy (I Won't Worry) by Jason Mraz

"Well, I saw fireworks from the freeway and behind closed eyes I cannot make them go away

Cause you were born on the Fourth of July, freedom ring

But something on the surface it stinks

I said something on the surface,

Well it kind of makes me nervous

Who say that you deserve this?

And what kind of god would serve this?

We will cure this dirty old disease.

Well if you've got the poison, I've got the remedy.

The remedy is the experience.

This is a dangerous liaison.

I say the comedy is that it's serious.

Well this is a strange enough new play on words

I say the tragedy is how you're gonna spend the rest of your nights with the light on,

So shine the light on all of your friends 

When it all amounts to nothing in the end.

I won't worry my life away,

No, I won't worry my life away."

SOURCE: YouTube

Blow Paint Creatures

Yesterday I got to give my first Respiratory Therapy activity and I'm happy to report that it was a complete success! These little Blow Paint Creatures make exercising the patient's lungs fun and interactive. 

Here's what you'll need:

• Non-Toxic Paint (watered down to a Milk-y consistency so it's easier to blow around)
• Paper (I used construction paper)
• Straws
• A syringe or medicine dropper (These are to drop little bits of paint on the paper - It's helpful but not a must. & on the plus side, it adds a little aspect of medical play into the activity.)
• Googly eyes
• Marker (to draw on mouths)

Once you've watered down your paints, you'll use the syringe/medicine dropper/or whatever tool you're using to drop little bits of paint on the paper (If the paint starts to thicken, just stir it around). The child will then blow a big puff of air through the straw, pushing the paint in all different directions. Just repeat this step until the paper is full or until the child decides they are done. 

Don't worry if that page is very wet. That's normal. If there's a window in the child's room, a good way to get the paint and water to dry quicker is leaving it on the windowsill for a little while. 

Once the paint has dried (I actually didn't wait until the paint was completely dry, just dry enough to be able to draw mouths on the Blow Paint Creatures) go ahead and let the child glue the googly eyes on & draw on the different mouths. Some can be happy, sad, scared, mad - whatever the child wants! 

You might be surprised at how many Blow Paint Creatures the child will want to make, I definitely was!

SOURCE: Raising Sparks: Learning for Life

The -Cancer- Cup Song

Carmen is a 13 year old girl who is fiercely taking on her cancer diagnosis. Along with two of her doctors, she put a new twist on the YouTube sensation "When I'm Gone/The Cup Song" by Ana Kendrick. Music can be a major coping strategy for kids, especially teenagers. Whether it's writing their own lyrics, listening to their favorite songs, or playing an instrument, music helps calm their anxieties and allows them to express feelings they might not have the words for or words they don't have the courage to say out loud. Carmen's words tell her story and declare a mantra of strength and perseverance.

You go, Carmen! 

"I got my ticket for the long way round, 

10 rounds of chemo for the way.

And I sure would like sweet victory,

Cancer's leaving tomorrow, what do you say?

When it's gone, when it's gone,

I won't miss cancer when it's gone.

I don't really miss my hair, no need to shave anywhere,

And I sure won't miss cancer when it's gone. 

Then I went and got my tumor cut out,

The one that held the cancer in my knee.

Now it's gone and I feel strong cause I know that nothing's wrong

And I finally beat cancer May 23.

Now it's gone, now it's gone,

Now my cancer's really gone,

I don't miss it, no, I dissed it because I needed my cancer to quit it

And I'm so freaking happy that it's gone.

Now I'm free, now I'm free,

Now I am finally cancer free. 

We are so darned happy, cancer made me feel real crappy,

We are happy that I'm finally cancer free."

SOURCE: Carmen's YouTube Channel - xTheSurvivorLife

A Boy Named Finn (You know, Finn.. Like on a Fish)

"Because sometimes little kids get cancer" 

I love this video by Kids Health by Nemours. It speaks directly to kids newly diagnosed with cancer in a way they can relate to and understand. Finn describes his experience, both physical and emotional, of staying at the hospital for cancer treatment in kid friendly language. He covers all the bases like admitting, moving in, tests and procedures, treatment, kids concerns, family and friends, hair loss, and being able to go back home. This is a great resource for making those little ones understand & feel more comfortable. 

The Child Life Council

The main resource for the Child Life field is the Child Life Council. They are a non-profit organization that empowers, advocates for, and promotes Child Life Specialists. They are the ones that determine what qualifies someone as a Child Life Specialist & what their specific roles are to be the most effective in helping children and their families cope in difficult health care situations. They offer A TON of resources and information on everything Child Life online at childlife.org. When in doubt, check with the Child Life Council!

Here's a flyer created by the Child Life Council which gives you the nutshell version of what Child Life is, what Child Life Specialists do, & why their role is so instrumental in a positive hospital experience for children.

(I know the text is a LITTLE small, so if you want to see the original image click here!)

Welcome to Living the Child Life :)

Hi Everyone!!

My name is Vivian & I'm an aspiring Child Life Specialist. I'm in the process of getting my certification, so no, I'm not there yet but I know that my passion for this field will definitely take me the extra mile! I'm hoping to use this space to post about all things relating to the Child Life profession - from articles, to inspirational stories, to videos, to crafts and activities, to resources, to personal experiences. It'l be a place to keep all those useful tips & tricks I come across while adventuring through this field.

So I'm not exactly sure who's reading this, but whoever you are, THANK YOU! Feel free to contact me with anything you have to say like questions, suggestions or ideas, or just a simple Hey! None of it will go unanswered or unappreciated.
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Welcome to Living the Child Life! 
♡