HAPPY CHILD LIFE MONTH!!

March is Child Life Month!! & to commemorate that, Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital's (my awesome practicum hospital!) Child Life Team made this video to spread some smiles! 

Enjoy! :) 

SOURCE: Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital YouTube Channel

Everyone, Meet Grace & Ella!

Grace has been diagnosed with ALL ( Acute Lymphotic Leukemia) - How do you begin to explain to a 4 year old all that comes with that diagnosis? Ella can help! Ella is a friend of Barbie who has lost her hair due to chemotherapy. She comes with two wigs, some scarves, head wraps, and a few other accessories. Ella can be a perfect tool for having that difficult conversation about the side effects of Chemo & can be a comforting companion for those little ones having to go through it. The only problem is, Mattel seems to have made Ella as a trial run exclusively for children's hospitals. This is great, but considering the amount of children that come in an out of an oncology ward on a daily basis, there are not enough Ella's to go around. Grace's parents started this Change.org petition so that Ella can be more redly available to all children battling cancer, especially those as young as their little girl. Click here to sign the petition to let Matel know it's time to make more "Ella"s so that more little ones like Grace can benefit from being able to relate to a Barbie that looks like them!

I found this YouTube video taken at The Jurasz Hospital in Bydgoszcz, Poland. It shows a few of the girls being treated for cancer playing with some of the Ella dolls their hospital received. This hospital only received 12 of them - hopefully signing this petition will allow the hospital's to receive a steady flow of Ella dolls, allowing patients to take their new friend home with them.

(SOURCE: Ruptly TV's YouTube Channel )

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

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.