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PROGRAMS PATIENT PROFILE
Child Life Services
The power of healing beyond medicine
Anni with her mom , Heidi ; baby brother ; and a photo of her late father , CJ
Imagine being a three-year-old child trying to understand why both your parents are suddenly so sick . That ’ s the reality Anni faced .
Shortly after the birth of her baby brother , her mom , Heidi , received a breast cancer diagnosis . Around the same time , her dad , CJ , unexpectedly fell seriously ill during a work trip . Anni was scared and confused — too young to grasp what was happening .
But then she met Taylor-Grace , a Child Life Specialist at Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center – Fort Worth . When CJ transitioned to hospice care , Taylor- Grace met with Heidi to discuss support for young Anni . Heidi was at a loss , unsure how to explain to Anni that her father was dying . Together , Taylor-Grace and Heidi made plans to help her understand the big changes happening in her life .
Taylor-Grace helped Anni find the words she needed to say goodbye to her dad . She also gave Heidi tools to help prepare Anni for her father ’ s funeral . Together , Taylor-Grace and Heidi helped Anni process her grief and develop coping strategies . She expressed her love for her dad through pictures , letters and handmade crafts .
Following CJ ' s passing , Heidi continued to bring Anni to child life visits with Taylor- Grace . They focused on helping Anni understand her mom ’ s cancer diagnosis . Taylor-Grace used age-appropriate books to gently explain cancer and answer questions , allowing the Anni to share her thoughts and fears . Anni ’ s biggest worry was , “ Is the cancer going to make mommy die too ?” With Taylor-Grace ’ s guidance , Anni found the courage to face her fears , even when things felt overwhelming .
Thankfully , Heidi is now in remission . Looking back , she is grateful for the support Taylor-Grace and the Child Life Program provided her family during such a challenging time .
“ Our situation was quite complex with a lot going on at once . Parents want to help their children , but we don ’ t always have the words . It made such a difference knowing we had resources to work with ,” said Heidi .
Even after discharge or the loss of a loved one , our Child Life Specialists remain a source of support for families . Children often still need support as they move forward and begin processing all the changes they ’ ve experienced along with those yet to come .
Two years later , Heidi still checks in with Taylor-Grace periodically . As Anni grows older , they work together to find creative ways to keep her dad in their lives . They discuss how to help her little brother who never got to meet his dad .
“ You want to shelter your children from the storm , but sometimes that ’ s not the way life goes . When we talk about our situation , it ’ s not in fear . It ’ s just a fact of our life ,” said Heidi .
The Child Life Specialists provide these services to families free of charge
Anni and Baylor Scott & White – Fort Worth Child Life Specialist Taylor-Grace
to families at Baylor Scott & White – Fort Worth . Donations fully fund the program and ensure kids like Anni get the emotional support they need .
While many pediatric health systems offer child life services to children who are sick or injured , Baylor Scott & White Health is one of the very few adult health systems in the nation with a program exclusively supporting the children of seriously ill or injured adults .
Last year alone , our two Child Life Specialists helped 220 children during 577 visits at Baylor Scott & White – Fort Worth .
For more information on how the Foundation is supporting the Child Life Program , please contact Amy Adkins at 817.922.7707 or Amy . Adkins @ BSWHealth . org .
THE COMPASS / BAYLOR SCOTT & WHITE FOUNDATION NEWS / WINTER 2024
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