Inside the Children's Hospital

Latest Episodes:

Episode 56 | Effie's Story - A son with a Rare Disease , CTNNB1 Jan 27, 2021

Show notes

Katie, Certified Child Life Specialist interviews Effie Parks, mom to Ford who was born with a rare disease called CTNNB1.

Effie is the host of the Once Upon a Gene podcast and in this episode she shares about her journey into parenthood and what it's like raising a child with special needs.

She describes how:

she learned to advocate for her son's needs
self-care is non-negotiable
she came to the realization that although parenting is different than she envisioned, her son has taught her more than she could ever imagine.

Listen Effie's podcast, Once Upon a Gene, or watch her new show on the Disorder Channel.

Child Life On Call is a community of parents and professionals that share ideas, stories and resources to help YOU navigate your child's unique experiences. We give you strategies to support your self and your family through life's challenges. We are so glad you are here.

Child Life On Call | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

Episode 55 | Dana's Story - Child Life Speialists in Schools - 12:14:20, 8.23 PM Jan 20, 2021

Show notes

Katie Taylor, Certified Child Life Specialist interviews Dana Burnett, Certified Child Life Specialist for the Bougier City, Louisiana school district.

Dana talks about her child life journey up until this point and how she has transitioned to supporting K-8th grade students through 1:1 interventions.

She focuses on serving students with chronic illness, children facing illness and loss, and children with parents who have an illness. Follow along with Dana on Instagram @takingchildlifetoschools.

Child Life On Call | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

Episode 54 | Danielle's Story - A daughter with Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis Jan 13, 2021

Show notes

Katie, Certified Child Life Specialist talks to Danielle, mom to Della a daughter with Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis.

You may know Danielle formally as Danni Starr, the media personality, but she is also momma of two girls, one of which suffers from invisible, chronic illness.

Danielle takes us through what the journey to a diagnosis was like (spoiler: it wasn't easy), how their entire family copes with the ups and downs and one surprising revelation: chronic illness isn't all bad.

Listen to Danni's own podcast, Help A Human Out, and read her book Empathy and Eyebrows.

Child Life On Call | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

Episode 53 | Teresa's Story - A daugther with Spina Bifida and Tethered Cord Jan 06, 2021

Show notes

Katie, Certified Child Life Specialist interviews Teresa, a mom of a teenage daughter with Spina Bifida.

With no signs of abnormalities during her pregnancy, Teresa was shocked to learn that a fatty lump on her daughter's skin at the base of her spine would lead to a diagnosis of spina bifida occult with a tethered spinal cord.

Teresa walks us through the shock of the diagnosis and the power that a one-on-one discussion with an empathetic doctor had on their ability to cope.

Motivated by their story to help kids like her daughter be able to disguise some of the necessary medical equipment she must wear every day, they created www.hiddenunderwear.com

Follow along with Teresa on Instagram and Facebook.

Child Life On Call | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

Episode 52 | Nichole's Story - A son fighting cancer with help from My Special Aflac Duck and Child Life Dec 09, 2020

Show notes

(This episode was developed in partnership with Aflac. I was compensated for this episode, but all opinions are entirely my own. #ad)

In this episode, Katie Taylor, Certified Child Life Specialist talks about the importance of a community for caregivers. She interviews Nichole who shares what her son's experience with cancer has been like. Sara Stewart, Child Life Specialist at Lurie Children's Hospital discusses how she supports children and families during their cancer journey.

Nichole refers to My Special Aflac Duck as a "game changer" for her son during his second fight with cancer. My Special Aflac Duck gives kids with cancer the chance to find joy through play. From feeding and bathing the duck to singing with it and hearing its heartbeat, this interactive companion helps kids find a distraction from their diagnosis.

Listen to more stories and find more resources for children, professionals and families at Child Life On Call.

This podcast episode is featured in Aflac's "Do Good" community newsletter, which spotlights insights, ideas and individuals making a difference in the pediatric cancer community. Visit Aflacchildhoodcancer.org to sign up for their newsletter and register for a My Special Aflac Duck. Authorized professionals at licensed health care facilities can order a duck free of charge to give to pediatric cancer patients, age 3+, to own forever, and use with them during their cancer care.

Child Life On Call | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

Episode 51 | Katie and Jamie's Top 5 of 2020 Dec 04, 2020

Show notes

In another version of "Katie and Jamie's Top 5" these two friends and child life specialists try to lighten the mood by talking about our favorite things of 2020. We can all admit the year was...meh... so why not chat about some of the good parts.

Jamie and Katie talk about fun things like their favorite lounge wear, shows to binge, holiday traditions and more game-changing revelations like favorite recipes (spoiler: wine).

From Jamie's favorite flavor of NyQuil to "sympathy chores" she had as a "sick child"... we hope to make you laugh, smile, and feel like you're hanging out with your friends.

Listen to other episodes with Jamie here:

Child Life On Call | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

Episode 50 | Eileen's Story - A son with Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa Nov 11, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, Annie, Certified Child Life Specialist, talks to Eilieen. She is the amazing mom of a determined, fun loving, 4-year-old hero named Brady. Brady was diagnosed with Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa (RDEB).

While he inspires all who meets him, his favorite thing is just being a typical boy and being treated as such. After a move from Texas to Colorado to find the best care and environment for him, life shifted and their family became advocates in the RDEB community.

Eileen is on the board of the EB Research Partnership and they have an absolutely star studded (like for real a ton of A-listers) event coming up on November 18th that will be streamed on Amazon.

EB Research - On November 18th, 2020 at 8pm EST, we will be hosting an extraordinary fundraiser with several A-List celebrities, and streamed on Amazon!!! This is an unparalleled opportunity for others to learn about Brady's condition, and get us closer and closer to our goal for a cure. Learn more here!! DEBRA is the organization talked about that welcomes donations of supplies etc for children with EB

Follow along with Eileen and Brody on Instagram and Facebook.

Find more resources, parent stories and support on www.childlifepodcast.com.

Child Life On Call | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

Episode 49 | Supporting families facing childhood medical experiences in the miltary Nov 04, 2020

Show notes

Katie talks to two Certified Child Life Specialists and military spouses, Savannah Self and Lisa McWhorter about ways to support military families.

From long waits in military hospitals to helping children navigate the deployment of parents, child life specialists have an important role in helping families cope.

A lack of consistency in providers due to moves across the country, and the world, is one of the biggest healthcare challenges military families face. Savannah and Lisa share tips and tools to help families with these unique concerns.

Resources for families mentioned in the episode:

Child Life On Call | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

Episode 48 | Meg's Story - A daughter with craniosynostosis Oct 14, 2020

Show notes

Meg, is mom to four children one of whom is living with syndromic craniosynostosis. Her daughter, Avery, who is now six-years-old is proof that children are resilient and capable of so much.

She discusses the exhaustion that comes from being the caregiver for a child who requires around the clock care. Meg attributes family (20+ cousins!) constantly surrounding her with love to be one of the biggest parts of their coping.

"The first year is so tough, so buckle up. But once it's over, you'll be an expert on your child's care and condition. Everything gets easier with times."

Meg says that following other families on social media who have similar conditions can be a great resource for connection and support.

To learn more, you can follow @meg_apperson and go to her blog www.fourfinelives.com. Read her book Sky Full of Stars.

Child Life On Call | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

I worried that she might suffer some cognitive delays, but she is an incredibly bright kid! In my experience, when someone looks "different", people automatically assume that they aren't able to communicate or understand what's happening around them. People act surprised when Avery speaks to them.

Yes! You can find me on my blog, www.fourfinelives.com and on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meg_apperson/

Episode 47 | Rosaria's Story - A son's legacy after passing from cancer Oct 07, 2020

Show notes

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