baylor scott & white health
Health Care Reimagined
comfort for patients ’ kids
Caroline was 5 when her mother , Shannon , had a heart transplant . As her mom struggled to recover in the intensive care unit ( ICU ) of Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas , Caroline — a budding artist — wanted to do something special for her .
First , she decorated a small mailbox for her mom ’ s room . Then she made get well cards and watched through the window with Baylor Scott & White Health child life specialist Mary Catherine Miller as her father placed them in the mailbox .
This wasn ’ t the first time Miller helped Caroline cope with her mother ’ s condition . Caroline loved coloring with her mother . Whenever she met with Miller , she insisted they color together as well .
“ Children ’ s language is play ,” Miller said . “ They often communicate more easily and freely when distracted by play . We read books , too , with characters experiencing similar circumstances . These stories encourage discussion and validate feelings a child might have .”
Child life specialists on Baylor Scott & White ’ s supportive and palliative care service ease the experience of children whose parents are seriously ill and help them understand what is happening . They also work with parents , helping them recognize signs of stress and respond to their children ’ s questions and concerns .
The specialists even offer scripts , giving adults the words to initiate difficult conversations with their kids .
Last year , Baylor Scott & White ’ s Child Life program served more than 2,120 children in North Texas . It ’ s free to families and funded by charitable donations .
Shannon ’ s condition declined rapidly after nearly two months in the ICU . Caroline arrived at her mom ’ s bedside to say she loved her and tell her goodbye . Shannon died 30 minutes later . Miller , working closely with Caroline ’ s father , had prepared her for the inevitable . She explained that her mom ’ s new heart wasn ’ t working right and while the medical team was doing everything they could , she couldn ’ t get better . Miller said that Shannon fought hard , but her body was tired and she was going to die .
“ While we want to shelter children , they are very resilient ,” Miller said , “ and it ’ s important to be open and honest with them , even in the most difficult circumstances .”
To prepare Caroline for her mother ’ s funeral , Miller used a miniature casket as a prop . Caroline then did what she does best . With Miller ’ s help , she made paper flowers for the casket and to adorn her mother ’ s grave .
“ Children ’ s language is play . They often communicate more easily and freely when distracted by play .” — Mary Catherine Miller
22