Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Inside the Children's Hospital
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
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| 235: A Mother’s Journey of Love, Loss, and Resilience (crohn's and ulcerative colitis) - Kathy's Story | 20 Nov 2024 | 00:43:58 | |
“If anybody was to ask me what is one of my biggest strengths, I have to tell them it's resilience… You can throw almost anything at me and I can handle it. I mean, there isn't anything any bigger in this world than losing a child.”-Kathy In this heartfelt episode, Katie Taylor sits down with Kathy, a mother who shares her journey of raising and caring for her daughter Lauren through multiple medical challenges and eventual passing. Kathy’s story is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. Kathy reflects on the emotional, physical, and logistical challenges of managing long hospital stays, becoming a caregiver to a child with complex medical needs, and balancing self-care amid unimaginable circumstances. Her insights on resilience, self-advocacy, and the deep bond with her daughter provide comfort and inspiration. Kathy’s story is a powerful reminder of the strength it takes to navigate pediatric healthcare, turning pain into purpose, and the lasting impact of a parent's love. "I was there when that beautiful creature wandered into my life, and I was there when she drifted out." – Kathy Key Insights: The Importance of Self-Care: Kathy emphasizes the need to care for oneself to better support a sick child and encourages parents to take breaks from the hospital without guilt. Parent as Advocate: Transitioning into the role of a medical advocate for her daughter, Kathy highlights how training, learning, and persistence made a difference in Lauren’s care. Finding Strength in Connection: Kathy discusses the vital role of family, friends, and small acts of kindness in sustaining her during Lauren’s long hospital stays. Maintaining Normalcy: From packing business-casual clothes to involving Lauren in picking outfits, Kathy underscores the importance of preserving a sense of normalcy amid medical chaos. Legacy of Resilience: Kathy’s advocacy didn’t end with Lauren’s passing; she continues to support others by sharing her story and working on resources for long hospital stays.
A HUGE thank you to our sponsors: BeginHealth Prebiotics: Nutrition support for healthy digestion. Use code “ChildLifeOnCall” to get 25 percent off. 30% of children struggle with constipation and it can feel impossible trying to find a solution for your child. Especially if your child has food allergies or has a condition or illness, you want to feel good about the products you are selecting for your child. To me, finding a company whose products have the highest quality and natural ingredients is really important. Begin Health®’s flagship product, Growing Up Prebiotics, is a tasteless, textureless fine powder that easily mixes into water, juice, or smoothies. This makes it convenient for daily use without altering the flavor of your child’s favorite beverages.
Resources and Tips: Support Spot App: Tailored guidance for families navigating medical experiences. Learn more Support Win Win Charity's mission of bringing smiles to children, families, and hospital staff nationwide. Join us to celebrate 12 years of inspiring performances, powerful stories, and magical moments. For a minimum donation of just $12, you can access Win Win Charity's 2024 Telethon fundraiser show in honor of our 12 years of bringing smiles to children in hospitals nationwide! Join the celebration featuring our 2024 "Entertainer of the Year" Tom Pesce, our 2024 "Hospital of the Year" Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, and our first-ever documented patient journey. There are two ways to join the experience on December 2nd! #1 Attend virtually on LeaderPass from anywhere in the world with a virtual pass. #2 Come to our in-person watch party at The Beverly Theater in downtown Las Vegas. We have a special surprise performance at our rooftop reception following the Telethon for those attending in Las Vegas. Simply donate $12 (or more), and we'll see you there! Reserve your spot: https://winwintelethon.com/
When parents feel empowered, everyone wins – kids thrive and the care team excels! Links and Resources:
Learn more here. Meet the host: Katie Taylor is the co-founder and CEO of Child Life On Call, a digital platform designed to provide parents, kids, and the care team with access to child life services tools and resources. She is a certified child life specialist with over 13 years of experience working in various pediatric healthcare settings. Katie is the author of the children's book, and has presented on the topics of child life and entrepreneurship, psychosocial care in the hospital, and supporting caregivers in the NICU setting both nationally and internationally. She is also the host of the Child Life On Call Podcast which features interviews with parents discussing their experiences throughout their child's medical journey. The podcast emphasizes the crucial role of child life services in enabling caregivers both at and beyond the bedside.
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| 234: Expert Child Life Tips for Supporting Children Through an Upper GI Procedure | 13 Nov 2024 | 00:41:42 | |
Today's episode is dedicated to the loving memory of Dr. Meredith Hitch, a cherished pediatric gastroenterologist at Ochsner Baton Rouge.
“You want to make sure that you are ready to be able to prepare not only yourself but your kiddo.” - Emily Martinec, CCLS
In this episode host Katie Taylor chats with Emily Martinec, another experienced Child Life Specialist. These two dive into the complexities of preparing children for an upper GI procedure. They provide valuable insights and practical tips for both parents and fellow specialists, sharing lessons learned from their work in pediatric radiology and GI. From scheduling the procedure to supporting children emotionally and physically, Katie and Emily guide listeners through every step of the process for both kids and parents. Whether you're a parent or a professional, this episode is packed with advice to help create an emotionally safe and successful experience for children. A HUGE thank you to our sponsors: BeginHealth Prebiotics: Nutrition support for healthy digestion. Use code “ChildLifeOnCall” to get 25 percent off. 30% of children struggle with constipation and it can feel impossible trying to find a solution for your child. Especially if your child has food allergies or has a condition or illness, you want to feel good about the products you are selecting for your child. To me, finding a company whose products have the highest quality and natural ingredients is really important. Begin Health®’s flagship product, Growing Up Prebiotics, is a tasteless, textureless fine powder that easily mixes into water, juice, or smoothies. This makes it convenient for daily use without altering the flavor of your child’s favorite beverages.
Key Insights Preparation is Key: Schedule the procedure around your child’s routine (e.g., feeding and nap times) and advocate for care at a pediatric facility. Child-Led Support: Tailor explanations based on your child’s age—toddlers need short, concrete steps, while older children benefit from a detailed walkthrough. Creative Coping Strategies: Bring familiar items like a favorite cup or lovey, and offer simple choices (e.g., flavoring options for the barium). Parent Emotional Regulation: Stay calm and positive, which helps children feel safe and supported during the procedure. Teamwork with Staff: Collaborate with radiology staff and child life specialists to create a smooth experience tailored to your child’s needs.
Resources and Tips: Support Spot App: Step-by-step guidance and visuals for procedures like the upper GI. Download here Age-Appropriate Preparation Tips: This episode provides strategies tailored to each age group, offering practical and developmentally appropriate tips to help ease anxiety and ensure a smoother experience for both kids and caregivers.
When parents feel empowered, everyone wins – kids thrive and the care team excels! Links and Resources:
Learn more here. Meet the host: Katie Taylor is the co-founder and CEO of Child Life On Call, a digital platform designed to provide parents, kids, and the care team with access to child life services tools and resources. She is a certified child life specialist with over 13 years of experience working in various pediatric healthcare settings. Katie is the author of the children's book, and has presented on the topics of child life and entrepreneurship, psychosocial care in the hospital, and supporting caregivers in the NICU setting both nationally and internationally. She is also the host of the Child Life On Call Podcast which features interviews with parents discussing their experiences throughout their child's medical journey. The podcast emphasizes the crucial role of child life services in enabling caregivers both at and beyond the bedside.
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| 225: Embracing Alopecia: A Mother’s Journey of Advocacy, Instincts, and Resilience-Lexi's Story | 24 Jul 2024 | 00:40:09 | |
"I feel like I owe it to him to explore other avenues. Acceptance doesn’t mean giving up; it means continuing to learn and adapt."- Lexi
In this episode of Child Life On Call, Katie Taylor speaks with Lexi, a devoted mother of two, about her family's journey with alopecia universalis. Lexi shares the emotional challenges and triumphs of supporting her three-year-old son, Penn, who was diagnosed with this rare condition. Through sharing her story, Lexi highlights the power of parental instincts, blending Western and Eastern medicine, and advocating for her child's unique needs. Her story offers valuable insights for parents and professionals alike, emphasizing the power of resilience and community in pediatric healthcare.
Key Insights: Early Diagnosis and Gut Instincts: Lexi's intuition played a crucial role in identifying her son's alopecia early on, showcasing the importance of parental instincts, and advocating for them, in healthcare. Navigating Emotional Challenges: Lexi discusses the emotional impact of her son's diagnosis and how her husband’s positive outlook has been a source of strength for their family. Advocacy and Medical Care: The necessity of finding specialized dermatologists and the integration of Western and Eastern medical practices are highlighted as key components of Penn's care. Coping with Public Reactions: Lexi shares strategies for handling public reactions and educating others about alopecia, aiming to foster empathy and understanding. Community and Support Systems: The episode underscores the value of support systems, both within the family and from the wider community, in navigating a rare medical condition.
Resources and Tips: National Alopecia Areata Foundation: Connect with support groups, explore treatment options, and find resources tailored for alopecia families. https://www.naaf.org/youth-mentor-program/: Support group pairing kids with mentors that Lexi mentioned. When parents feel empowered, everyone wins – kids thrive and the care team excels! Links and Resources:
Learn more here. Meet the host: Katie Taylor is the co-founder and CEO of Child Life On Call, a digital platform designed to provide parents, kids, and the care team with access to child life services tools and resources. She is a certified child life specialist with over 13 years of experience working in various pediatric healthcare settings. Katie is the author of the children's book, and has presented on the topics of child life and entrepreneurship, psychosocial care in the hospital, and supporting caregivers in the NICU setting both nationally and internationally. She is also the host of the Child Life On Call Podcast which features interviews with parents discussing their experiences throughout their child's medical journey. The podcast emphasizes the crucial role of child life services in enabling caregivers both at and beyond the bedside. | |||
| Episode 142 | Swapnil’s Story - A daughter with severe food allergies | 19 Oct 2022 | 00:34:47 | |
Swapnil, father of two, shares on this episode of the podcast about his daughter, Anya, who has severe food allergies. Swapnil shares about Anya's first symptoms of a food allergy and the event that revealed the severity of her allergies. Whether you are a parent or Clinician, you will gain so much understanding and knowledge about food allergies by listening to Swapnil's story. [2:10] Value of resources along the journey [4:00] Introducing the family [4:56] Eczema struggles at 6 months old [5:30] Anya had a anaphylactic reaction to cashew butter [6:44] Awareness is arising about food allergies [7:46] Preparation for Anya to go to school [9:07] Testing from a local allergist [10:20] Keeping a variety of foods in her diet [11:30] Keeping a spreadsheet to keep track of food and reactions [14:50] How manufacturing changes created an issue [16:00] How mitigating the risk is a form self care [17:23] Sub-lingual Immunotherapy treatment (SLIT) [19:00] Finding a team of allergists for Anya [21:30] The differences in a school settings and away from home [25:13] Swapnil wrote a book to help Anya cope [26:10] How the Allergy Community online was extremely helpful [28:22] Practical ways to remember to take the Epi pen [31:08] Using the epi-pen is never easy [32:00] Sharing about Anya's character Connect with Swapnil Recommended ResourceBook by Swapnil Patel Whether you are a parent or professional, we want you to join our community. Sign up for our newsletter here. Parents, download our free parent starter kit. When you download our starter kit, you’ll learn how to:
The first sign of sniffles, or worse, shouldn’t send you into a tailspin. Feel confident in your role as a parent and advocate, no matter what medical situation you’re facing. Child life specialists, get affordable PDUs on-demand here. Shop for your CLOC gear here. Catch up with CLOC on Instagram, Facebook and meet Katie for a Q+A every Monday at 10 AM CST. | |||
| Episode 141 | Hannah’s Story - Kids with Febrile Seizures | 12 Oct 2022 | 00:47:16 | |
Hannah bravely shares how her two young daughters developed febrile seizures. Although febrile seizures are common, it is something that isn't talked about enough. Hannah will shed some light for families walking through this diagnosis and provide you with ways to navigate the practicality and emotions that come along with it. [2:47] Hannah introduces her family [4:45] Sharing symptoms and instincts [6:08] Finding her daughter, Hadley, unresponsive in her crib [8:16] Hand foot and mouth was the initial culprit of the fever [10:52] Discharge instructions after having a febrile seizure [11:43] How prayer and a supportive husband gave Hannah the ability to cope [12:45] Hannah shares about her second daughter, Madison [14:40] Madison has her first febrile seizure [16:39] The after effects of a febrile seizure [19:09] Madison's second seizure [20:58] Hannah shares how the week prior she had a CPR and First Aid refresher course [23:27] Madison showed no symptoms but ended up having a UTI, ear infection and pharyngitis [27:04] Madison's third seizure [30:28] Back to back seizures [32:16] Hannah shares the instructions from the dispatcher [33:29] Bloodwork to diagnose Madison [34:45] Hannah explains how reoccurring febrile seizures can result in a seizure disorder [37:40] Connecting with a friend whose son has had febrile seizures [38:33] Tips for prevention [40:12] After effects of febrile seizures [41:07] Being sensitive to illness [44:24] Talking about motherly instinct Connect with Hannah Whether you are a parent or professional, we want you to join our community. Sign up for our newsletter here.Parents, download our free parent starter kit. When you download our starter kit, you’ll learn how to:
The first sign of sniffles, or worse, shouldn’t send you into a tailspin. Feel confident in your role as a parent and advocate, no matter what medical situation you’re facing. Child life specialists, get affordable PDUs on-demand here. Shop for your CLOC gear here. Catch up with CLOC on Instagram, Facebook and meet Katie for a Q+A every Monday at 10 AM CST.
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| Episode 140 | Melanie’s Story - A toddler diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes | 05 Oct 2022 | 00:46:32 | |
" It was like I was leaving home with a newborn because I had no idea what to do. We were in survival mode for those 3 days in the hospital. It was just nothing that I ever expected to be dealing with.'-Melanie Smith Melanie shares how she learned of her daughter's diagnosis of type 1 diabetes when her daughter was 18 months old. She so vulnerably shares their journey from diagnosis to life at home. This story is packed full of great insight to families navigating a new diagnosis of type 1 diabetes. [2:50] Melanie introduces her family [5:33 Noticing an excessive thirst in her daughter was the first symptom of diabetes [7:05] Malia's energy levels were depleted [8:55] Melanie made a list of concerns to tell her doctor [11:30] The pediatrician urges them to go the emergency room [13:04] Melanie shares the trauma that incurred for her [15:45] Advocating for Maliah to eat while hospitalized [17:36] Processing the news of her daughter being diabetic [19:17] Learning how to care for Maliah [21:30] Melanie shares the range of emotions she felt processing the news of the diagnosis [24:30] Using a continuous pump monitor her diabetes [25:13] Counting the carbohydrates [28:08] Watching her sugar levels at first was overwhelming [30:39] Advocating for your young child [33:00] Feeling reassured starting Maliah in Preschool as her teacher is diabetic [36:30] Melanie shares her concerns about her newborn having diabetes [38:16] Type 1 diabetes misconceptions and value of education [39:26] Questioning how long Maliah had diabetes for [40:59] Finding a community to lean on [44:30] Celebrating Maliah's diaversary Connect with Melanie on Facebook Whether you are a parent or professional, we want you to join our community. Sign up for our newsletter here.Parents, download our free parent starter kit. When you download our starter kit, you’ll learn how to:
The first sign of sniffles, or worse, shouldn’t send you into a tailspin. Feel confident in your role as a parent and advocate, no matter what medical situation you’re facing. Child life specialists, get affordable PDUs on-demand here. Shop for your CLOC gear here. Catch up with CLOC on Instagram, Facebook and meet Katie for a Q+A every Monday at 10 AM CST.
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| Episode 139 | Facility Dog’s In Children’s Hospitals | 28 Sep 2022 | 00:24:17 | |
"A patient becomes so vulnerable with them because they don't even realize what they are doing. When you are in that moment petting the dog, every emotion, feeling and thought runs free because you aren't having to focus on a conversation, it is so natural." -Shelby Bonnet, CCLS Shelby Bonnet, a certified Child Life Specialist and Animal Assisted Therapy Coordinator, shares how facility dogs are utilized in children's hospitals. This episode is packed full of information on how facility dogs impact patient care and how to balance patient and clinician needs. If you are a parent who has ever wondered about the purpose of a facility dog in hospitals or a clinician who is wanting to have a facility dog be apart of their hospital's program, you will want to give this episode a listen! [3:00] Shelby shares about her career being a Child Life Specialist and Facility Dog handler [5:00] How they started the Facility Dog Program [6:30] Child Life Specialists role with Facility Dogs [7:12] How her workflow changed [8:25] Balancing the needs of patients and clinicians [10:10] Being intentional with your time [11:18] How Pinto, the facility dog helped with a with an intervention with an oncology patient [14:08] How Pinto altered the entire families experience, not only the patient [17:38] Common misconceptions of having a facility dog [19:07] Life at home with Pinto [21:04] How to get the process started [23:22] Splitting time amongst different units in the hospital Connect with Shelby: Shelby's Recommended Resources: Whether you are a parent or professional, we want you to join our community. Sign up for our newsletter here.Parents, download our free parent starter kit. When you download our starter kit, you’ll learn how to:
The first sign of sniffles, or worse, shouldn’t send you into a tailspin. Feel confident in your role as a parent and advocate, no matter what medical situation you’re facing. Child life specialists, get affordable PDUs on-demand here. Shop for your CLOC gear here. Catch up with CLOC on Instagram, Facebook and meet Katie for a Q+A every Monday at 10 AM CST.
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| Episode 138 | Piper + Enza: A Covid-19 Inspired Health and Happiness Company for Kids | 21 Sep 2022 | 00:22:00 | |
On todays episode, we will hear from Rita Ho-Bezzola, CEO and Founder of Piper + Enza: A Covid-19 inspired health and happiness company for kids. Rita shares her inspiration behind Piper + Enza and how her goal is to make common health experiences positive for children and parents. You will not want to miss this episode! [2:30] Sharing about her family [6:14] How Covid-19 was her inspiration create Piper + Enza [8:10] The moment Rita discovers her mission [10:10] Using Literacy to help children cope with medical experiences [14:45] Growing pains of parenting and children [15:00] Changing our perspective on pain [16:56] Our worldview vs our children's worldview [17:50] Empowering parents to be their child's biggest advocate Connect with Rita: Whether you are a parent or professional, we want you to join our community. Sign up for our newsletter here.Parents, download our free parent starter kit. When you download our starter kit, you’ll learn how to:
The first sign of sniffles, or worse, shouldn’t send you into a tailspin. Feel confident in your role as a parent and advocate, no matter what medical situation you’re facing. Child life specialists, get affordable PDUs on-demand here. Shop for your CLOC gear here. Catch up with CLOC on Instagram, Facebook and meet Katie for a Q+A every Monday at 10 AM CST.
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| Episode 137 |Lauren’s Story - A son with Aicardi-Goutieres Syndrome (AGS) | 14 Sep 2022 | 00:46:30 | |
On today's episode of the podcast we hear from Lauren about her son's diagnosis of Aicardi-Goutieres Syndrome (AGS.) She shares how her uneventful pregnancy followed by a NICU stay and numerous hospital visits with unanswered questions eventually resulted in a diagnosis. Lauren shares how coaching changed her life and how she is now a life coach for mothers of children with disabilities. [4:32] How ranch living was a dream come true [5:20] After an uneventful pregnancy, Lauren gives birth [7:00] A nurse tells Lauren to get a second opinion [9:15] Lauren and Katie chat about the NICU life [11:00] How staying at the hospital added to the emotional and stressful times [12:25] Asking about Lauren's pregnancy history [14:00] An MRI reveals some answers [16:50] Living in flight or fight mode [19:50] Leo stopped eating and had a swallow study [21:00] The doctors grasp for answers [26:30] Genetics appointment results [27:30] How diagnosis day holds trauma [29:11] Finding a specialist who has experience working with children who have AGS [31:20] How Lauren found healing through coaching [35:28] Lauren shares Leo's love language [37:24] Self care is what works for your stress management [39:22] What is driving your action and feelings? [42:27] Our definitions of being a good mom Connect: Whether you are a parent or professional, we want you to join our community. Sign up for our newsletter here.Parents, download our free parent starter kit. When you download our starter kit, you’ll learn how to:
The first sign of sniffles, or worse, shouldn’t send you into a tailspin. Feel confident in your role as a parent and advocate, no matter what medical situation you’re facing. Child life specialists, get affordable PDUs on-demand here. Shop for your CLOC gear here. Catch up with CLOC on Instagram, Facebook and meet Katie for a Q+A every Monday at 10 AM CST.
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| Episode 136 | Jaime’s Story - A daughter with limb loss and Tetralogy of Fallot | 07 Sep 2022 | 00:39:40 | |
"It's not a time to say I'm sorry, It's a time to acknowledge that, yes in fact you had something you did not plan for, a traumatic event. But also you did have a baby and to step into that joy and gratitude and not lose sight of those things.-Jamie Cline Jamie shares how her daughter Callie has persevered with tetralogy of fallot and later on a limb loss.She learned about her daughter's tetralogy of fallot just hours after having her 7 weeks premature. When Callie turned one, she shares how they came to the decision to do a lower leg amputation. Jamie shares Callie's journey of learning to walk with a prosthetic as well as the emotional journey she embarked on as a mother. [3:00] Jamie shares about their family and hobbies [4:50] Close monitoring during Jamie's pregnancy due to her pre-existing type 1 diabetes [5:37] Callie was born 7 weeks early via c-section [6:43] Learning of Callie's heart condition, Tetralogy of fallot [8:30] The grief and anger to follow the initial diagnosis [10:35] Feeling cheated of hopes and dreams she had [11:40] Sharing the emotional challenges of others saying they are sorry rather than celebration [13:12] Callie had to be transferred to a different hospital for the surgery [15:00] How their community rallied around supported their family [17:18] Callie went between the NICU and PICU for close to 3 months [20:40] The best Christmas gift- Callie got to come home for Christmas [21:40] Noticing Callie's limb difference shortly after birth [26:05] At 19 months old, Callie had her amputation surgery [27:30] Decision making process [30:08] How grief was a big part of Jamie's journey to healing [32:00] Jamie shares how she took care of her self during this difficult time [36:00] How Callie has changed their lives and the positive things she has gleaned from being her mother Connect with Jaime: Whether you are a parent or professional, we want you to join our community. Sign up for our newsletter here.Parents, download our free parent starter kit. When you download our starter kit, you’ll learn how to:
The first sign of sniffles, or worse, shouldn’t send you into a tailspin. Feel confident in your role as a parent and advocate, no matter what medical situation you’re facing. Child life specialists, get affordable PDUs on-demand here. Shop for your CLOC gear here. Catch up with CLOC on Instagram, Facebook and meet Katie for a Q+A every Monday at 10 AM CST. | |||
| Episode 135 | Judith's Story- A twin with albinisim | 31 Aug 2022 | 00:43:34 | |
Judith shares how one of her twins was born with albinisim and how she stayed positive during the diagnosis and beyond. This episode will absolutely touch your heart, Judith is a natural story teller and captures hows she embraced her daughter's albinism and has seen the beauty through it all. [3:15] Judith shares her busy life and routine with the twins [6:25] She shares about her high risk her twin pregnancy journey [7:27] How the ultrasound tech noticed the bridge of the nose on both of the babies [8:20] Overwhelming feeling that finding out about one issue after a next, [8:49] Joining a support group felt like accepting the mis-diagnosis she received [9:57] The doctor noticed her daughter stopped growing and told her she needed a c-section [11:12] Soon after birth, she noticed her skin was light in color and Judith wondered if she had albinisim [13:14] Baby girl had to stay a little longer to gain some weight when brother got discharged. [15:25] Judith and her family were concerned about others not accepting her [19:45] How her faith helped her maintain positivity during trying time [21:45] While trying to become pregnant, Judith's faith that she would become pregnant with twins was walked out when she prepared the extra bedroom for children [25:55] Confirming the gender of the babies [29:00] How she felt like going to a support group for parents of blind children was accepting that her daughter would be blind [32:00] Sharing how people in her culture treat albinisim [33:40] Judith shares how she explained to her daughter how she was beautiful and that different is beautiful [35:05] Sharing how she is confident in school and speaking to others about her differences [36:50] How she uses her story to help others and inspire parents going through it [40:00] Embracing the journey of albinism and seeing the beauty in it all CONNECT with Judith: Learn more about albinism at www.albinism.org Whether you are a parent or professional, we want you to join our community. Sign up for our newsletter here.Parents, download our free parent starter kit. When you download our starter kit, you’ll learn how to:
The first sign of sniffles, or worse, shouldn’t send you into a tailspin. Feel confident in your role as a parent and advocate, no matter what medical situation you’re facing. Child life specialists, get affordable PDUs on-demand here. Shop for your CLOC gear here. Catch up with CLOC on Instagram, Facebook and meet Katie for a Q+A every Monday at 10 AM CST.
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| Episode 134| Rebekah’s Story - A teen with food allergies | 24 Aug 2022 | 00:19:02 | |
"I've connected with food allergy patients and we have all come together. That is the most important thing, to make sure that nobody feels alone."-Rebekah Wallace Rebekah shares her life today as a teen with food allergies. This episode brings perspective to our listeners about how we can take our challenges and turn them into advocacy and awareness. Rebekah, shares her first memories of having food allergies and how she and her family learned to cope. She shares how she coped with the news and what she is doing today to bring awareness to food allergies. [3:15] Rebekah shares her about her every day life as a teen with food allergies [5:30] The struggle as a young child not understanding why she couldn't eat certain foods [6:40] She began to understand the importance of the allergies around age 10 [7:45] Rebekah shares the first time she had to use an EPI pen [8:00] She explains how remaining calm during a reaction is key [10:30] How Pageantry made her feel confident to speak up about bringing awareness to food allergies [11:55] The Allergy bet book she created to share with young children about food allergies [15:45] Being able to connect with other peers going through the same thing was so helpful [16:00] All children need is just love and support [17:45] Rebekah shares her dream of being a oncology nurse CONNECT Instagram- @Rebekahreacts Whether you are a parent or professional, we want you to join our community. Sign up for our newsletter here.Parents, download our free parent starter kit. When you download our starter kit, you’ll learn how to:
The first sign of sniffles, or worse, shouldn’t send you into a tailspin. Feel confident in your role as a parent and advocate, no matter what medical situation you’re facing. Child life specialists,get affordable PDUs on-demand here. Shop for your CLOC gear here. Catch up with CLOC on Instagram, Facebook and meet Katie for a Q+A every Monday at 10 AM CST | |||
| Episode 133 | Expert: A Hard of Hearing Child Becomes an Audiologist | 17 Aug 2022 | 00:29:25 | |
"I really feel like I'm paying forward with everything that I lived and everything I’ve experienced as a professional. My program is my heart in a basket for them."- Dr. Michelle Hu, Audiologist Dr. Michelle Hu shares how she was diagnosed as hard of hearing as a young child and what lead her to become an audiologist. This episode is packed full of wisdom. [3:12] Michelle's teacher encourages her mom to get her hearing checked [3:49] Getting hearing aids after a mild hearing loss diagnosis [4:44] The hurricane feeling her parents felt after receiving her diagnosis [5;26] Struggling with the news of hearing loss [6:14] Seeking second opinions after struggling with the diagnosis [7:00] How Michelle's parents processed her diagnosis [9:15] The inspiration behind creating a community for parents [10:18] Through the community she has created, she feels like she is paying it forward [13:00] Creating tools to helped newly diagnosed families [16:00] Katie+ Michelle discuss how parenting is full circle [17:33] How Michelle decided to be an Audiologist [20:10] Providing the cliff notes to help each other and win is the goal CONNECT: Whether you are a parent or professional, we want you to join our community. Sign up for our newsletter here.Parents, download our free parent starter kit. When you download our starter kit, you’ll learn how to:
The first sign of sniffles, or worse, shouldn’t send you into a tailspin. Feel confident in your role as a parent and advocate, no matter what medical situation you’re facing. Child life specialists, get affordable PDUs on-demand here. Shop for your CLOC gear here. Catch up with CLOC on Instagram, Facebook and meet Katie for a Q+A every Monday at 10 AM CST. | |||
| 224: A son with Burkitt lymphoma at 8 year's old - Reina's Story | 10 Jul 2024 | 00:34:58 | |
"My immediate thought was I'm going to lose my son. That was where my head went immediately." - Reina Introduction In this episode of Child Life On Call, Katie Taylor talks with Reina, a devoted mother from Nashville, Tennessee. Reina shares her heartfelt journey of caring for her son Elliott, diagnosed with Burkitt lymphoma at eight years old. She discusses the emotional and practical challenges faced during Elliott's treatment, the importance of advocating for her child's needs, and the support systems that played a crucial role in their journey. Reina’s story highlights resilience, the power of community, and the significance of effective communication in pediatric healthcare. Key Insights: Early Diagnosis and Challenges: Elliott's diagnosis journey began with a seemingly minor issue, leading to the discovery of a large mass in his tonsil, which was diagnosed as Burkitt lymphoma. Importance of Advocacy: Reina emphasizes the critical role of parental advocacy, including meticulous record-keeping, clear communication with medical staff, and involving Elliott in his care decisions. Support Systems: The support from family, the school community, and the involvement of a Child Life Specialist were invaluable in navigating the complexities of treatment and providing emotional and practical help. Emotional Coping: Reina discusses the emotional toll of her son's illness, the importance of mental health support, and the strategies used to help Elliott cope with the changes and challenges of his treatment. Creating Resources: Inspired by their experience, Reina has created children's books to help other families navigate similar journeys, emphasizing the importance of involving children in their care and providing accessible resources.
Resources and Tips: "When a Kid Like Me Fights Cancer" and other resources for helping children understand and cope with cancer. Read "A Brave Kid's Guide to Lymphoma" and"A Brave Kid's Guide to Leukemia" to help your child cope with a lymphoma or leukima diagnosis. To learn bout the mission of Hello Brave, founded by Reina, visit their website here. When parents feel empowered, everyone wins – kids thrive and the care team excels! Get the SupportSpot app! Now available for ALL parents without a hospital code!
Learn more here. Meet the host: Katie Taylor is the co-founder and CEO of Child Life On Call, a digital platform designed to provide parents, kids, and the care team with access to child life services tools and resources. She is a certified child life specialist with over 13 years of experience working in various pediatric healthcare settings. Katie is the author of the children's book, and has presented on the topics of child life and entrepreneurship, psychosocial care in the hospital, and supporting caregivers in the NICU setting both nationally and internationally. She is also the host of the Child Life On Call Podcast which features interviews with parents discussing their experiences throughout their child's medical journey. The podcast emphasizes the crucial role of child life services in enabling caregivers both at and beyond the bedside.
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| Episode 132 | Tanisha’s Story - A son with Lower Urinary Tract Obstruction | 10 Aug 2022 | 00:48:00 | |
Tanisha tells a story of strength and perseverance as her son Jaleel was born with a lower urinary tract obstruction. This story highlights the powerful ways Tanisha and her husband, Quentin work together as a team for Jaleel and their family. From her experiences in the NICU and beyond, Tanisha created a community to support NICU Medical Moms. [3:52] The journey to motherhood for Tanisha [6:13] Learning that Jaleel had a lower urinary tract obstruction at her 20 week anatomy scan [9:30] How Tanisha's husband helped her feel included in Jaleel's care [14:16] Healing is on-going for Tanisha and her family [18:39] She describes how she had the urge to walk one evening and the next morning learned she was in labor [20:35] Jaleel was born and was immediately rushed to the NICU for respiratory issues [22:57] Tanisha explains the emotional reunion in the NICU [24:51] Her husband advocated for Tanisha become involved in Jaleel's care to connect with him [26:49] Tanisha shares how she went into learning mode to not be stressed [28:42] Child Life specialists put up pictures of Jaleel's progress in the NICU and decorated his room the theme of his nursery [31:33] Getting a G-Tube was key to getting Jaleel ready for transplant [33:30] Moral support from Mom to Mom was key for Tanisha [37:43] Tanisha shares how she was enrolled in her Master's Degree program and how she was supported by faculty [42:00] Tanisha shares how she feels she is getting to live her dream in a new way [45:24] How Child Life Specialists shaped Jaleel's interest in music Connect with Tanisha:Medical Moms of NICU Facebook Group Whether you are a parent or professional, we want you to join our community. Sign up for our newsletter here.Parents, download our free parent starter kit. When you download our starter kit, you’ll learn how to:
The first sign of sniffles, or worse, shouldn’t send you into a tailspin. Feel confident in your role as a parent and advocate, no matter what medical situation you’re facing. Child life specialists, get affordable PDUs on-demand here. Shop for your CLOC gear here. Catch up with CLOC on Instagram, Facebook and meet Katie for a Q+A every Monday at 10 AM CST. | |||
| Episode 131 | Paola’s Story - A son with ADA-SCID | 03 Aug 2022 | 00:38:11 | |
Paola shares the shocking diagnosis her son received as a newborn of ADA-SCID (Severe Combined Immunodeficiency.) This powerful story a he shares how she navigated hospital life during the beginning of the pandemic and her journey with postpartum depression. She shares words of wisdom on how to deal with the feelings that come when your child gets a life altering diagnosis. [5:22] Paola describes the grief she experienced with Jakob's diagnosis [7:10] She describes the shock and acceptance of the news that Jakob has ADA-SCID [9:12] Postpartum depression struggles during isolation [11:10] Sharing the importance of opening up about your struggles [13:44] Being a first time Mom and medical mom [15:03] Paola describes how she fights the good fight [17:44] Her cervical cancer diagnosis after Jakob’s diagnosis [19:29] Paola’s campaign to fight for Jakob’s treatment [20:21]She describes how her cancer diagnosis was her moment to pause [26:50] Coming up with a plan and leaning on community helped Paola cope with the diagnosis [30:12] She shares how Child Life specialists have helped reduced the trauma Jakob has had to endure [31:28] Jakob has taught Paola to be brave and to have courage [32:20] Paola has created an environment that helps Jakob have some normal day to day activities despite being isolation [33:45] She shares how her motherhood journey was so different than what she anticipated, she feels fierce and does not take no for an answer Connect with Paola: Whether you are a parent or professional, we want you to join our community. Sign up for our newsletter here. Parents, download our free parent starter kit. When you download our starter kit, you’ll learn how to:
The first sign of sniffles, or worse, shouldn’t send you into a tailspin. Feel confident in your role as a parent and advocate, no matter what medical situation you’re facing. Child life specialists,get affordable PDUs on-demand here. Shop for your CLOC gear here. Catch up with CLOC on Instagram, Facebook and meet Katie for a Q+A every Monday at 10 AM CST. | |||
| Episode 130 | Belinda’s Story - A son with autism, low tone and epilepsy [A BELOVED MENTOR] | 27 Jul 2022 | 00:39:37 | |
"Never listen when they tell you your child will not, encourage them to do the best they can do"- Belinda Hammond, CCLS Belinda shares her son's journey with low tone, epilepsy and autism and how her professional and personal experiences collided, giving her an invaluable perspective as a parent and professional. This episode is in our top 5 most downloaded episodes to date. [4:39] Belinda notices her son is not meeting some major developmental milestones [5:17] Receiving a low tone diagnosis as an infant [10:00] Belinda shares a touching moment in her son’s journey to run a 5k [12:39] Finding activities your child likes to incorporate into therapy [13:34] She gets a phone call from Justins school, Belinda begins to search for answers [14:57] Additionally, she learns her son is having absent seizures and after a neurology referral learns he has Epilepsy [15:41] After hearing feedback from her son's school, Belinda decides to homeschool Justin [19:53] Getting her Masters degree helped her become a stronger advocate for her son and patients [22:45] In addition to low tone and seizures, Belinda shares about Justin’s mild autism spectrum diagnosis at age 5 [24:50] Belinda describes how going back to school was self-care for her [28:54] Working on self-confidence [30:09] Justin’s amazing attitude and ability to push forward is inspiring to Belinda If you would like to connect with Belinda, you can email her, or connect through her website and Facebook pages. Whether you are a parent or professional, we want you to join our community.Sign up for our newsletter here.Parents, download our free parent starter kit. When you download our starter kit, you’ll learn how to:
The first sign of sniffles, or worse, shouldn’t send you into a tailspin. Feel confident in your role as a parent and advocate, no matter what medical situation you’re facing. Child life specialists, get affordable PDUs on-demand here. Shop for your CLOC gear here. Catch up with CLOC on Instagram, Facebook and meet Katie for a Q+A every Monday at 10 AM CST. | |||
| Episode 129 | How to Explain Covid-19 to Kids [2nd MOST DOWNLOADS] | 20 Jul 2022 | 00:14:20 | |
This episode originally aired in March 2020 at the beginning of the pandemic. This topic is so important and rightfully so, it is our 2nd most downloaded episode of all time. When it comes to COVID-19, how we inform our children is incredibly important. If you’re wondering how we can talk to our kids about COVID-19 when we as adults still don’t know exactly what’s happening, you’re not alone. This episode covers suggestions for age-appropriate language to use as well as general considerations to keep in mind as you talk to your children about COVID-19. Children are looking to adults for honest, easy-to-digest information. Give a listen to learn how to break it down into a way that they can understand. [3:20] Katie explains that children and adolescents crave a strong compassionate leader who establishes boundaries [6:00] It's important to remind children that a lot of the information they hear may not be factual [8:53] Katie explains to empower your children by validating what they are already doing [9:19] She shares how hand-washing is an easy practical way fuel empowerment when discussing COVID-19 [10:10] t is ok to admit that there are unknowns about COVID-19 and acknowledging that we don’t know the answers and that is ok [11:06] Katie shares the importance of setting a good example.You want to model behavior that your children will follow [12:00] Offer to have a check in with your child if they are feeling worried [12:22] Katie’s key to success is to be a strong and compassionate leader and exhibit the behavior you want your child to have. Be a buffer! Whether you are a parent or professional, we want you to join our community. Sign up for our newsletter here. Parents, download our free parent starter kit. When you download our starter kit, you’ll learn how to:
The first sign of sniffles, or worse, shouldn’t send you into a tailspin. Feel confident in your role as a parent and advocate, no matter what medical situation you’re facing. Child life specialists, get affordable PDUs on-demand here. Shop for your CLOC gear here. Catch up with CLOC on Instagram, Facebook and meet Katie for a Q+A every Monday at 10 AM CST. | |||
| Episode 128 | Maura’s Story - A son with Down syndrome [MOST SHARED] | 13 Jul 2022 | 01:12:43 | |
On this episode of the podcast, you will hear an amazing story of resilience and hope.This episode originally aired back in August of 2020. This is the most shared of all of our podcast episodes; you will quickly learn why after listening to this inspiring story. Meet Maura Senneff, mom to sweet Ryan. Ryan is a thriving 8-year-old boy who has Down syndrome. The amazing advocate by his side, his momma Maura, describes that “zooming out” and looking at things from a wide lens helped them turn Ryan’s health around.She talks about small changes and the "no limits" attitude their family lives by. [1:39] Maura shares about her family and introduces us to Ryan and his journey with Down syndrome [2:40] Maura explains how resilient Ryan is despite his struggles with chronic illness for his first six years of life [3:27] Never giving up was key to their success at navigating Ryan’s diagnosis of Down syndrome [4:00] Maura shares how Ryan’s diagnosis with Down syndrome was not going define him and put limits on what he can and can’t do [4:56] Maura shares the deep meaning behind advocating for Ryan; it meant the idea of unlocking potential and removing barriers for generations to come [5:23] Maura explains how they came to learn of Ryan’s unexpected Down syndrome diagnosis at birth [7:12] Maura shares that during her prenatal care there were no markers on any of her ultrasounds for Down syndrome [8:04] Maura began to have what she thinks are braxton hicks contractions but learns she is in labor [9:07] Maura describes Ryan’s quick delivery and the time that lapsed before getting to see him [9:32] She describes how Ryan wasn’t latching and crying like her first baby and something felt wrong [10:45] Maura describes the moment she told her husband Jack that she thought Ryan may have Down syndrome [10:56] She explains through tears how she feels sad about the emotional roller coaster of emotions she went through the first few days and how there is immense joy despite the diagnosis [12:51] Ryan goes to the NICU for additional testing and Maura describes how she was mentally preparing for the diagnosis of Down syndrome [13:45] Maura shares how her husband saw their family pediatrician come in with his Saturday work clothes on and was how it was an indicator that something serious was happening [14:07] Maura explains the emotional moment they heard the official diagnosis of Down syndrome [15:30] Maura explains how with Down syndrome, there is a variety of health complications and Ryan was fairly healthy despite the circumstances, but struggled with acute illness [18:26] Maura shares how she and her husband didn’t know much about Down syndrome and special needs before meeting their son [19:57] Ryan was reading before he learned to talk. Maura did not know if he was going to talk but ensured that he had access to as much therapy as possible [22:37] Maura shares how she advocated for Ryan during one of his ICU stays [24:02] Ryan had a low white blood count at birth and had several emergent blood draws over the years and Maura shares her desperation for answers [26:09] Maura explains how an ABA therapist was a pivotal force for Ryan to potty train [28:00] Ryan did swimming lessons at 18 months old, could roll over and do things in the water before he could do them without his walker [29:46] Maura shares how other people have reached out to her after finding her on instagram and how his story has given them hope [31:00] Maura shares about the language surrounding Down syndrome and how it made her feel [33:50] When children have a diagnosis, it is important to not put what they can or can’t do in a box [35:40] Maura explains how the school called her about Ryan’s therapy, stating that he did not need it any longer. She had his therapists train the teachers on his behavior plan [37:25] She shares the one thing she wished she would have done in early Ryan’s diagnosis is to meditate and how many medical professionals urged her to do so as it is a part of their daily practice. It helped her not get overwhelmed in her thought life [41:00] How their family added meditation into their daily routine for calm minds,manage stress and think clearly [43:05] Maura explains how going through the emotions and feeling like your head is spinning is normal but you don’t need to stay there. Meditation is so crucial to her to get through the days. [48:00] Maura explains how ABA therapy was a game changer and how she wishes that she would have started Ryan in this type of therapy at birth [50:00] She shares about how when she broke her foot badly and told the doctor she would do anything to help her broken foot.. He sent her to a Chinese medicine doctor for acupuncture and had immediate pain relief. She vented to the doctor about Ryan’s situation and she suggested she bring him in for treatment [54:00] Maura explains how thinking outside of the box and trying things that are not typical are SO impactful to their experience. Find your tribe that will sit in the trenches with you. [55:50] Within 2 weeks of using functional medicine, Ryan was able to have regular bowel movements and his far-sighted vision changed by a third then even more in the weeks to come. Ryan’s labs were all in normal range within a few weeks. [01:00:00] Maura shares how Ryan’s thyroid level changed drastically after acupuncture [01:03:42] She shares how Ryan has shown them that ANYTHING is possible and how much he has taught them about achievement [01:06:45] How Maura honed in on working on gross motor skills for Ryan as she knew it would help change many things for him. They improved drastically after 5 or 6 treatments [01:07:43] Maura had Ryan participate in a study that focuses on brain function in children with Down syndrome and the doctor doing the study could not tell that Ryan had Down Syndrome by looking at the MRI. CONNECT WITH MAURA:
Whether you are a parent or professional, we want you to join our community. Sign up for our newsletter here. Parents, download our free parent starter kit.
When you download our starter kit, you’ll learn how to:
The first sign of sniffles, or worse, shouldn’t send you into a tailspin. Feel confident in your role as a parent and advocate, no matter what medical situation you’re facing.
Child life specialists,get affordable PDUs on-demand here. Shop for your CLOC gear here. Catch up with CLOC on Instagram, Facebook and meet Katie for a Q+A every Monday at 10 AM CST.
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| Episode 127 | Courtney’s Story - A daughter born at 25 weeks [MOST DOWNLOADED] | 06 Jul 2022 | 00:58:15 | |
Episode 127 | Courtney’s Story - A daughter born at 25 weeks [MOST DOWNLOADED] At just 25 weeks pregnant, Courtney was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia and was hospitalized. Just 5 days later and after a terrifying emergent c-section, she would meet her daughter, McKenzie. In this episode, Courtney talks about her entire experience from her own hospitalization and her daughter's 5-month stay in the NICU and eventually going home. She talks about the balance of being a single, working mom and the struggles that come along with having a child with medical needs. Courtney will leave you feeling inspired and in utter awe of how she loves and supports her daughter. [2:47] Courtney is informed she has high blood pressure and is admitted to Labor and Delivery [4:24] Courtney is transported to a larger hospital that has a higher-level NICU [6:35] Courtney asks tough questions about her condition and her daughter [9:12] Courtney is informed she will need to have a c-section [11:12] Courtney is informed she will need an emergency c-section as she has developed HELLP syndrome [15:44] Courtney describes the overwhelming emotions she felt meeting her daughter for the first time in the NICU [19:44] A primary nurse keeps Courtney accountable in the NICU about pumping. Courtney shares how important this was to her and her journey with McKenzie. [21:24] Learning how to do McKenzie’s care in the NICU helped Courtney feel empowered [22:45] Courtney describes the roller coaster ride she experienced while McKenzie was in the NICU [24:20] She explains how she stayed in the hospital recovering from HELLP syndrome [24:50] That punch in the gut feeling Courtney felt after learning the significance of a white flower posted outside of a neighboring NICU room [26:50] Courtney shares how she advocated for McKenzie, even when others did not agree with her [29:35] She shares about life after the NICU + rooming in with McKenzie [33:15] Courtney shares about McKenzie’s feeding journey and oral aversion and the ups and downs with her feeding including developing, GERD and getting an NG tube [36:41] She recalls how McKenzie’s nurse, now friend, came to the rescue to help drop McKenzie’s NG tube [38:32] Courtney shares how she came to the decision to get McKenzie a g-tube and how it affected her as a mother [40:15] She shares the love and hate relationship with the feeding tube and how she came to the understanding that even though it wasn’t preferable it helped her nutrition [43:00] Changes she had to make in her life to support McKenzie including staying in during cold and flu season [43:50] The beautiful gesture of friends supporting her during their NICU stay, bringing her to lunch each Sunday, and giving her weekly care packages. [45:35] Courtney shares her struggle of finding quality childcare for McKenzie and how difficult it was to find someone whom she could trust [48:12] Courtney relied on her faith and prayer to cope with what was going on in her life and with McKenzie [50:18] Courtney’s friend Ebony, encourages her to get help and go to therapy after she describes some dreams and things during her day that remind her of being in the hospital [54:00] She shares how difficult it was for other people to understand what she was going through [55:09] Courtney describes how she puts her own needs aside to give McKenzie the selfless care and love she needs and deserves CONNECT WITH COURTNEY Whether you are a parent or professional, we want you to join our community. Sign up for our newsletter here. Parents, download our free parent starter kit.
When you download our starter kit, you’ll learn how to:
The first sign of sniffles, or worse, shouldn’t send you into a tailspin. Feel confident in your role as a parent and advocate, no matter what medical situation you’re facing.
Child life specialists, get affordable PDUs on-demand here. Shop for your CLOC gear here. Catch up with CLOC on Instagram, Facebook and meet Katie for a Q+A every Monday at 10 AM CST. | |||
| Episode 126 | Supporting Children in Hospice | 22 Jun 2022 | 00:26:28 | |
Episode 126 | Supporting Children in Hospice
On this week's episode, Shani Thornton, CCLS, from Child Life Mommy shares how to support children in hospice. Shani wears many different hats in the Child Life world including supporting children in the hospice setting .Shani shares how to connect with children during this difficult time and ways to explain things that are honest and easy to understand. To help children feel more connected during this challenging time she shares some of the meaningful exercises and activities she does to help children cope. Connect with Shani: Click on this link to view the books Shani talked about in today's episode! [6:50] Shani talks about working with a local hospice agency to provide support [8:44] Interventions in the hospice setting [10:07] Importance of following the child’s lead. [11:05] How children digest information [13:35] Explaining differences in medication, for illness versus comfort [15:22] Explaining to children the care team that will be helping [16:10] Processing hospice care [16:30] Using play to help children to understand terminal illness [18:00] How to explain illness not seen by the eye [19:17] Importance of validation, security, emotional safety and being seen [19:35] Creating fingerprint charms, handprint molds, handprint tree and bracelets to commemorate [21:25] Importance of giving parents space to share and how witnessing, validating and listening is key [22:54] Communication with social worker and hospice agency [24:40] Additional ways to support the family
Sign up for FREE Parent Support Group with a Child Life Specialist beginning, Monday June 27th at 10am CST Have you heard? The Child Life On Call mobile app for parents, kids and their care team will be available in 2022. Sign up to stay informed here. 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 yourself and your family through life’s challenges. We are so glad you are here. Website: childlifeoncall.com Merch: bonfire.com/store/childlifeoncall Instagram: instagram.com/childlifeoncall Facebook: facebook.com/childlifeoncall Twitter: twitter.com/childlifeoncall YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnh95T1MOYtbpBxJaZqg7rg
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| Episode 125 | Katie on Child Life Wild Life | 15 Jun 2022 | 00:33:56 | |
This week’s episode is a throwback from Katie’s June 2021 interview with Child Life Wild Life host, Jessica Lewin, who was also recently a guest on Child Life On Call. In this episode, you will learn about how Katie’s experiences as a child life specialist and a new mother influenced each other in the most positive ways. From sharing her ‘why’ about podcasting, to preparing her own children for medical procedures and balancing her career and motherhood, you will get to know the heart of our host, Katie Taylor. [5:20] Intro about Katie and her family [9:30] Going back to work after having her baby [11:10] How motherhood transformed her career [12:00] Podcast inspiration [14:32] Supporting parents in the NICU [18:08] Challenges while working pregnant in the field [19:50] Best part of being a mom and child life specialist [21:02] Dental appointment preparation [22:30] Torticollis diagnosis [24:36] Importance of relationship building with parents [28:05] Postpartum anxiety struggles [30:45] Tips for CCLS Students [32:07] Starting her own business Have you heard? The Child Life On Call mobile app for parents, kids and their care team will be available in 2022. Sign up to stay informed here. 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 yourself and your family through life’s challenges. We are so glad you are here. Website: childlifeoncall.com Merch: bonfire.com/store/childlifeoncall Instagram: instagram.com/childlifeoncall Facebook: facebook.com/childlifeoncall Twitter: twitter.com/childlifeoncall YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnh95T1MOYtbpBxJaZqg7rg
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| Episode 124 | Laura’s Story Part 2: A son with Congenital Leukemia | 08 Jun 2022 | 00:42:47 | |
In this episode, we will hear from Laura about navigating hospital life and finding the balance between caring for her family and taking care of herself. She focuses on the importance of self care and how it has made her be the best version of herself. Laura shares how life after the hospital doesn’t have this glamorous feeling but is another marathon in itself. In this episode, she speaks on the positive takeaways from this journey. This episode is full of nuggets of wisdom that you will not want to miss! If you are in the middle of a long hospital stay, this episode will speak to your heart.
[3:54] Leaving Trey for the night
[5:56]- Daily Routines
[7:40]- making time special with the big kids
[12:07]-Touching interaction with CT Tech
[17:47]- How our children heal us and we re-strengthen bonds
[18:50]- Dividing and Conquering responsibilities
[19:57]- Trey’s homecoming
[22:00]- Feeling of being alone
[24:49] Trey’s strong emotional intelligence
[28:29] Laura shares how motherhood is a privilege
[33:00] Taking care of you!
[35:40] The daily high 5 Have you heard? The Child Life On Call mobile app for parents, kids and their care team will be available in 2022. Sign up to stay informed here. 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 yourself and your family through life’s challenges. We are so glad you are here. Website: childlifepodcast.com Merch: bonfire.com/store/childlifeoncall Instagram: instagram.com/childlifeoncall Facebook: facebook.com/childlifeoncall Twitter: twitter.com/childlifeoncall YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnh95T1MOYtbpBxJaZqg7rg | |||
| Episode 123 | Laura’s Story Part 1: A son with Congenital Leukemia | 08 Jun 2022 | 00:46:31 | |
Friends, you are not going to want to miss this episode! On today’s episode of the podcast,we hear about Laura’s Birth story and the beginning of her son Trey’s journey with congenital Leukemia. Laura shares the raw emotion and grief when she and her husband learn of Trey’s diagnosis. She goes intimately into detail about her first time seeing her newborn son, how it broke her to her core and how she began to pick up the pieces. Laura shares how her friends rallied behind her during this extremely challenging time and how we can support others going through a crisis. There is a part 2 to Laura’s story, sharing all about life during and after an extended stay in the hospital.
[4:10] How they chose Trey’s name
[5:20] Unexpected diagnosis
[9:25] Emergency C-Section
[10:48] Pep Talk with Mom
[15:59] Neonatologist gives them difficult news
[19:40] Laura describes that ‘tsunami’ feeling of their world crashing down around them
[22:24] Meeting the transport nurse who helped transport her son
[27:12] Meeting Trey at CHOP for the first time
[31:10] Processing the events
[33:58]Reality of the diagnosis sinking in
[35:15] the Importance of taking care of yourself
[39:00] How to help in times of need [42:19] How Laura’s friends and family supported her every step of the way CONNECT: If you would like to connect with Laura, please reach out to Child Life On Call
Have you heard? The Child Life On Call mobile app for parents, kids and their care team will be available in 2022. Sign up to stay informed here. 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 yourself and your family through life’s challenges. We are so glad you are here.
Website: childlifepodcast.com Merch: bonfire.com/store/childlifeoncall Instagram: instagram.com/childlifeoncall Facebook: facebook.com/childlifeoncall Twitter: twitter.com/childlifeoncall YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnh95T1MOYtbpBxJaZqg7rg
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| 223: [6 minutes] Big News: The Child Life On Call App is Now SupportSpot! | 01 Jul 2024 | 00:06:44 | |
Episode Description: Tune in to hear why we made this change and what it means for you and your family. Plus, get a sneak peek into the new features and benefits you can expect from SupportSpot. This is an announcement you won’t want to miss! Show Notes: [00:00] Introduction
[00:30] Reflecting on the Journey
[01:00] The Big Announcement
[02:00] The Power of Prepared and Empowered Parents
[03:00] The Evolution of Child Life On Call
[04:00] Features and Benefits of SupportSpot
[05:00] How to Get SupportSpot
[06:00] Continuing Hospital Partnerships
[06:30] Conclusion
Links and Resources:
Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Child Life On Call on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps us reach more families and provide them with the tools they need for a positive healthcare experience. | |||
| Episode 122 | Meditation for Kids with a Music Therapist | 01 Jun 2022 | 00:19:41 | |
On today’s episode of the podcast, we will hear from Ryan Judd, Music Therapist and creator of Cool Koala. In this episode, Ryan places an emphasis on helping our children develop gratitude, compassion and learning how to cope with our worries. He shares how music helps children feel relaxed and how having the practice of guided meditation can carry into creating healthy habits for children as they move through the different stages of life and into adulthood. Ryan shares vital information on how to teach these practices to children in the hospital and in our everyday routines at home. [3:30]-Ryan shares how he started working with kids [4:20] Discovering Music Therapy as a profession [5:56] Ryan shares about his family [6:36]Ryan’s music on the App [7:24] Ryan shares about Cool Koala and when to do meditation [9:00 ]Alexa Skill integration and Cool Koala Collab [10:05] How music calms the nervous system [11:05] Letting go of worries [12:18] Sleep is the foundation of health [15:00]Worry Box and Gratitude Garden CONNECT WITH RYAN: 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 yourself and your family through life’s challenges. We are so glad you are here. Website: childlifeoncall.com Merch: bonfire.com/store/childlifeoncall Instagram: instagram.com/childlifeoncall Facebook: facebook.com/childlifeoncall Twitter: twitter.com/childlifeoncall YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnh95T1MOYtbpBxJaZqg7rg
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| Episode 121 | Sarah's Story: A daughter with an ischemic stroke | 25 May 2022 | 00:51:55 | |
This episode is sponsored by SmileMakers! On today’s episode, Annie Jones, CCLS is our guest host! We will hear from Sarah about her daughter Adalee having an ischemic stroke with no pre-existing conditions. With strokes, the recovery process is different for every individual and doctors initially thought she may not have a full recovery. Sarah shares how her faith got her through this period of time, her daughter's remarkable recovery and self care tips for parents who have children with medical needs. This episode is packed full of wisdom on how to listen to our intuition when we navigate difficult situations as parents. Sarah will also share the inspiration behind her devotional book, The Perfect Storm. Listen to: Events Leading up to Adalee’s Stroke [4:03] How Sarah followed her mothers intuition [9:00] Diagnosis at a hospital away from home [11:24] Processing an open ended diagnosis [17:42] How Adalee’s siblings were impacted during her hospital stay [22:20] Adalee running in rehab [26:24] Sarah shares about her faith and support from her community [28:54] Adalee Today [31:02] How Sarah practices self care [40:25] The inspiration behind Sarah's devotional book, The Perfect Storm [45:25] CONNECT WITH SARAH Have you heard? The Child Life On Call mobile app for parents, kids and their care team will be available in 2022. Sign up to stay informed here. 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 yourself and your family through life’s challenges. We are so glad you are here. Website: childlifepodcast.com Merch: bonfire.com/store/childlifeoncall Instagram: instagram.com/childlifeoncall Facebook: facebook.com/childlifeoncall Twitter: twitter.com/childlifeoncall YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnh95T1MOYtbpBxJaZqg7rg
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| Episode 120 | How to Stay Present... Not Perfect | 18 May 2022 | 00:22:28 | |
This episode is sponsored by SmileMakers
Abbie Pabon and Emily Enstad share their motherhood journeys through the pandemic, how it shaped their careers and how they created a company that gives hands on tools to help children regulate and express their emotions. In this episode, you will learn more about:
+Learn how to empower children with tools and strategies they can access in moments of dysregulation.
+How to be self-compassionate as a parent
+Learn about current barriers for parents, and how connection, coregulation, and creativity are pillars to supporting social emotional learning with kids.
Have you heard? The Child Life On Call mobile app for parents, kids and their care team will be available in 2022. Sign up to stay informed here. 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 yourself and your family through life’s challenges. We are so glad you are here. Website: childlifepodcast.com Merch: bonfire.com/store/childlifeoncall Instagram: instagram.com/childlifeoncall Facebook: facebook.com/childlifeoncall Twitter: twitter.com/childlifeoncall YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnh95T1MOYtbpBxJaZqg7rg | |||
| Episode 119 | Michelle’s Story: A Son’s Pediatric Rehab Experience | 11 May 2022 | 00:43:08 | |
Today we have a guest co-host AND a guest! Our guest co-host is Sehreen Noorali, and you may remember her from Episode 112 of the podcast. Her younger daughter has some medical needs and has been through neurosurgery. Like Sehreen, our guest Michelle has also spent her fair share of time in the rehab setting. Her son, Gideon, was born with heart defects that required hospitalization.
In this episode, we talk about… [6:25] Michelle’s family [8:08] Discovering low oxygen levels in a newborn [11:24] Receiving diagnoses: Tetralogy of Fallot, Pulmonary Atresia and MAPCAs [15:34] Advocating for your child in the medical system [18:31] Collaborating with your child’s care team [26:12] Handling stress as a parent of a child with medical needs [29:38] Creating community in the inpatient pediatric rehab setting [35:44] How Michelle’s son has changed her [38:45] An update on Gideon
CONNECT WITH MICHELLE:
CONNECT WITH SEHREEN:
Have you heard? The Child Life On Call mobile app for parents, kids and their care team will be available in 2022. Sign up to stay informed here. 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 yourself and your family through life’s challenges. We are so glad you are here. Website: childlifepodcast.com Merch: bonfire.com/store/childlifeoncall Instagram: instagram.com/childlifeoncall Facebook: facebook.com/childlifeoncall Twitter: twitter.com/childlifeoncall YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnh95T1MOYtbpBxJaZqg7rg | |||
| Episode 118 | How to Give Your Child Medicine | 04 May 2022 | 00:14:47 | |
I’m bringing you a quick episode about a commonly asked question. This topic also happens to be one of our most downloaded resources on the website (in case you didn’t know, you can get free downloadable resources here!) We’re talking about how to get your kids to take medicine - liquid, pills, eye drops, and more. In this episode, I talk about… [1:37] Helping ourselves to help our children [2:12] Helping children to understand the need for medicine [3:02] Step 1: Setting expectations [3:34] Step 2: Recognize that medicine is non-negotiable [4:29] Step 3: Consider the child’s developmental level [7:16] Step 4: Offer choices about how to take the medicine [8:20] Step 5: Practice and getting the child comfortable with taking medicine [9:00] Giving eye drops to children [10:38] Helping children to swallow pills Have you heard? The Child Life On Call mobile app for parents, kids and their care team will be available in 2022. Sign up to stay informed here. 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 yourself and your family through life’s challenges. We are so glad you are here.
Website: childlifepodcast.com Merch: bonfire.com/store/childlifeoncall Instagram: instagram.com/childlifeoncall Facebook: facebook.com/childlifeoncall Twitter: twitter.com/childlifeoncall YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnh95T1MOYtbpBxJaZqg7rg
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| Episode 117 | [Repost] Ashlyn’s Story: A Son with VACTERL Association | 27 Apr 2022 | 01:06:43 | |
This is a very worthy repost episode, as April is Limb Difference Awareness Month. We first shared Ashlyn’s story over a year ago, but I wanted to bring it back. The two things that I continue to take away from this story is the true partnership between Ashlyn and her husband, as well as the importance of having fun with the cards you’re dealt. I encourage you to listen to her story, follow her on Instagram, and share her page and this episode so others can learn more about limb differences. In this episode, we talk about… [4:55] Ashlyn’s family [6:07] Ashlyn’s pregnancy with her son [14:47] Getting the results from the fetal MRI [23:45] How Ashlyn and her husband renewed their partnership [30:29] Myles’s birth and NICU stay [41:17] Getting the diagnosis of VACTERL Association [42:34] Bringing Myles home from the hospital [49:37] How Ashlyn changed her mindset and coped with grief [51:40] Connecting with other parents of children with special needs [57:58] What Ashlyn has learned from her son [1:01:24] An update on Myles [1:03:25] Ashlyn’s advice for other parents CONNECT WITH ASHLYN: Have you heard? The Child Life On Call mobile app for parents, kids and their care team will be available in 2022. Sign up to stay informed here. 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 yourself and your family through life’s challenges. We are so glad you are here. Website: childlifepodcast.com Merch: bonfire.com/store/childlifeoncall Instagram: instagram.com/childlifeoncall Facebook: facebook.com/childlifeoncall Twitter: twitter.com/childlifeoncall YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnh95T1MOYtbpBxJaZqg7rg | |||
| Episode 116 | Psychosocial Considerations for Parents of Tweens and Teens | 20 Apr 2022 | 00:26:54 | |
Today’s guest expert is Jessica Lewin, a child life specialist in the school setting. We talk about some of the key concepts that she wants parents to know are affecting their middle and high schoolers. Jessica and I discuss suicide, the impact of school attendance, and tweens’ and teens’ psychosocial roles within their social systems.
In this episode, we talk about… [2:09] Jessica’s background and work in the Child Life field [7:10] Psychosocial development in middle and high school [14:09] The mental health crisis for teenagers [18:19] Mental health resources outside of the school setting [22:12] Conversations with teenagers about suicide
CONNECT WITH JESSICA
Have you heard? The Child Life On Call mobile app for parents, kids and their care team will be available in 2022. Sign up to stay informed here.
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 yourself and your family through life’s challenges. We are so glad you are here. Website: childlifepodcast.com Merch: bonfire.com/store/childlifeoncall Instagram: instagram.com/childlifeoncall Facebook: facebook.com/childlifeoncall Twitter: twitter.com/childlifeoncall YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnh95T1MOYtbpBxJaZqg7rg | |||
| Episode 115 | Megan’s Story: A Son with Williams Syndrome | 13 Apr 2022 | 00:38:12 | |
Today I’m talking with Megan, who is the mother of three wonderful children. Her first was born with a rare genetic condition called Williams Syndrome. They did not discover this syndrome until he was five months old, and you will hear in her story how those first five months felt like five years. Megan is also a social worker, and she has developed a program that we will talk about at the end of the interview. In this episode, we talk about… [1:53] Megan’s family [3:24] Williams Syndrome [4:30] Megan’s pregnancy and delivery with her son [6:21] Getting a diagnosis of Williams Syndrome [13:45] Feeling lonely after getting the diagnosis of Williams Syndrome [21:24] Family support and coping as parents of a child with special needs [23:36] Living with Williams Syndrome [26:52] How Megan takes care of herself day to day [30:03] An update on Megan’s son and what he has taught her [32:43] Tulip Families: The program Megan developed for families navigating disability and neurodiversity CONNECT WITH MEGAN Have you heard? The Child Life On Call mobile app for parents, kids and their care team will be available in 2022. Sign up to stay informed here. 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 yourself and your family through life’s challenges. We are so glad you are here.
Website: childlifepodcast.com Merch: bonfire.com/store/childlifeoncall Instagram: instagram.com/childlifeoncall Facebook: facebook.com/childlifeoncall Twitter: twitter.com/childlifeoncall YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnh95T1MOYtbpBxJaZqg7rg | |||
| Episode 114 | How to Talk with Kids About Child Abuse with Jane Donovan | 06 Apr 2022 | 00:33:02 | |
Today’s guest expert is my mother, Jane Donovan, who is a child abuse advocate. She is here to provide tangible ways to make this concept less scary and to empower kids and parents. We want to leave you feeling confident about how to teach kids about child abuse. In this episode, we talk about… [3:50] Jane's background and her passion for advocacy [8:48] Using puppets to talk to kids about child abuse [15:04] Good touches versus confusing touches [15:54] Empowering children to tell an adult about abuse [17:31] Respecting personal space [21:08] Feedback about the puppet program [22:35] Reporting child abuse [25:42] Engaging in conversations with kids about child abuse [31:06] A safety sheet to create with your children Have you heard? The Child Life On Call mobile app for parents, kids and their care team will be available in 2022. Sign up to stay informed here. 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 yourself and your family through life’s challenges. We are so glad you are here.
Website: childlifepodcast.com Merch: bonfire.com/store/childlifeoncall Instagram: instagram.com/childlifeoncall Facebook: facebook.com/childlifeoncall Twitter: twitter.com/childlifeoncall YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnh95T1MOYtbpBxJaZqg7rg | |||
| Episode 113 | Amy’s Story: A Son with Craniopharyngioma | 30 Mar 2022 | 00:51:21 | |
Today I’m talking with Amy, who discovered her son had a brain tumor after noticing something different about his eye one morning. The brain has a lot of jobs, and it has affected his everyday life in many ways. Amy is an incredible mom, and she shares their story so beautifully. Her ultimate goal is to support other parents going through similar things. In this episode, we talk about… [2:19] Amy’s family [3:59] Finding out about her son’s brain tumor [8:55] Emergency brain surgery [14:32] Complications after brain surgery [18:34] Researching, asking questions, and advocating while caring for a sick child [22:08] Starting a foundation [25:05] Coping with the emotional toll of caring for a child with a brain tumor [36:00] Intentionally looking for blessings [37:32] The Raymond A. Wood Foundation [44:48] An update on Amy’s son and what he has taught her CONNECT WITH AMY Have you heard? The Child Life On Call mobile app for parents, kids and their care team will be available in 2022. Sign up to stay informed here. 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 yourself and your family through life’s challenges. We are so glad you are here. Website: childlifepodcast.com Merch: bonfire.com/store/childlifeoncall Instagram: instagram.com/childlifeoncall Facebook: facebook.com/childlifeoncall Twitter: twitter.com/childlifeoncall YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnh95T1MOYtbpBxJaZqg7rg | |||
| 222: A son born at 25 weeks after loss, NICU NP mom and podcaster: Ashley O'Neil | 26 Jun 2024 | 00:39:57 | |
In this episode host Katie Taylor sits down with Ashley O’Neil, a family nurse practitioner and a NICU mom. Ashley shares her journey when her son, Colin, was born at 25 weeks gestation and the following 183 day NICU stay. Listen to hear how she balanced work, advocating for her son’s needs, coping with personal loss, as well as providing invaluable support and resources to other families in similar situations. "The hardest part isn't being in the NICU; it's the real advocating that starts after discharge." - Ashley O'Neil Key Insights: Early Challenges: Ashley shares the difficulties of having a baby born at 25 weeks and the emotional turmoil of seeing healthy babies at work while her own child struggled in the NICU.
Advocacy: Emphasizing the importance of advocating for her child, Ashley highlights how she meticulously kept records, attended rounds, and communicated her son's needs to the medical staff.
Support Systems: The significance of community support and online groups played a crucial role in her journey.
Resilience: Despite being told what her son might not achieve, Ashley remained steadfast in her belief in his potential, advocating for her son, and celebrating every milestone and victory.
Navigating Systems: The real battle often begins after leaving the NICU, dealing with insurance, medical equipment, and ensuring her child receives the necessary care and resources.
Ronald McDonald House: Provides essential housing and support for families with hospitalized children. Insurance Navigation: Practical advice on dealing with insurance companies and securing
Kids Grief Support: Find information and resources to support grieving children.
When parents feel empowered, everyone wins – kids thrive and the care team excels! Links and Resources:
Learn more here. Meet the host: Katie Taylor is the co-founder and CEO of Child Life On Call, a digital platform designed to provide parents, kids, and the care team with access to child life services tools and resources. She is a certified child life specialist with over 13 years of experience working in various pediatric healthcare settings. Katie is the author of the children's book, and has presented on the topics of child life and entrepreneurship, psychosocial care in the hospital, and supporting caregivers in the NICU setting both nationally and internationally. She is also the host of the Child Life On Call Podcast which features interviews with parents discussing their experiences throughout their child's medical journey. The podcast emphasizes the crucial role of child life services in enabling caregivers both at and beyond the bedside.
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| Episode 112 | Sehreen’s Story: A Daughter Requires Neurosurgery | 23 Mar 2022 | 00:37:25 | |
March is Child Life month, and I wanted to feature some amazing organizations that are doing so much to support children and families in crisis. A few weeks back, I had the opportunity to interview an expert in the field of Child Life about the impact of disasters on children and families (episode 105). Child Life Disaster Relief is an organization that empowers and supports children and families in crisis by integrating Child Life professional services into disaster-impacted communities. Learn more at www.cldisasterrelief.org. Today I’m talking with Sehreen, who has so much wisdom to share. She is doing big things for the world of children’s health, but she is also a mom whose daughter has had some medical challenges. I’m excited for her to share her experiences with you in this episode. In this episode, we talk about… [2:25] Sehreen’s background and family [4:11] Concerns with her daughter missing developmental milestones [9:03] Seeking answers about her daughter’s development [12:48] Advocating for your child in medical situations [15:00] How Sehreen coped while waiting for a diagnosis for her daughter [18:18] How Sehreen’s daughter coped during her time in the hospital [24:25] The role of child life specialists [26:02] What helps Sehreen to recharge [27:31] The difficulties with having a child with medical needs [29:02] What Sehreen’s daughters have taught her [31:52] Sehreen’s children’s health startup (Sleuth) CONNECT WITH SEHREEN Have you heard? The Child Life On Call mobile app for parents, kids and their care team will be available in 2022. Sign up to stay informed here. 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 yourself and your family through life’s challenges. We are so glad you are here. Website: childlifepodcast.com Merch: bonfire.com/store/childlifeoncall Instagram: instagram.com/childlifeoncall Facebook: facebook.com/childlifeoncall Twitter: twitter.com/childlifeoncall YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnh95T1MOYtbpBxJaZqg7rg | |||
| Paige’s Story: A Daughter with Nursemaid’s Elbow | 16 Mar 2022 | 00:20:16 | |
March is Child Life month, and I wanted to feature some amazing organizations that are doing so much to support children and families in crisis. A few weeks back, I had the opportunity to interview an expert in the field of Child Life about the impact of disasters on children and families (episode 105). Child Life Disaster Relief is an organization that empowers and supports children and families in crisis by integrating Child Life professional services into disaster-impacted communities. Learn more at www.cldisasterrelief.org. Today I’m talking with Paige, who shares her daughter’s experience with Nursemaid’s Elbow. On this podcast, sometimes we talk about really intense diagnoses that last years and have a significant medical impact. Other times we talk about acute issues that are not severe but require medical attention - and today is one of those days. Check out this episode to hear about what Nursemaid’s Elbow is and how to fix it. In this episode, we talk about… [3:05] Paige’s background and family [4:55] Finding out about Nursemaid’s Elbow [12:57] Treating Nursemaid’s Elbow [17:09] What to do if you suspect Nursemaid’s Elbow Have you heard? The Child Life On Call mobile app for parents, kids and their care team will be available in 2022. Sign up to stay informed here. 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 yourself and your family through life’s challenges. We are so glad you are here. Website: childlifepodcast.com Merch: bonfire.com/store/childlifeoncall Instagram: instagram.com/childlifeoncall Facebook: facebook.com/childlifeoncall Twitter: twitter.com/childlifeoncall YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnh95T1MOYtbpBxJaZqg7rg | |||
| A 12 Minute Talk with Dr. Jin Lee, a Licensed Clinical Psychologist | 09 Mar 2022 | 00:23:29 | |
Today I am introducing you to Dr. Jin Lee, a licensed clinical psychologist with experience working in hospitals. She now has her own private practice, and she specializes with teens who have functional neurological or post-concussion disorders. You will hear some great information and feedback from Dr. Lee about how to support teens through chronic pain. In this episode, we talk about… [1:54] Dr. Jin Lee’s background [2:51] Working with children and teens with chronic illness [5:57] How Dr. Lee supports her patients [12:04] How patients and their families evolve through working with a clinical psychologist [17:52] Advice for parents of teens with chronic illness Connect with Jin: Have you heard? The Child Life On Call mobile app for parents, kids and their care team will be available in 2022. Sign up to stay informed here. 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 yourself and your family through life’s challenges. We are so glad you are here. Website: childlifepodcast.com Merch: bonfire.com/store/childlifeoncall Instagram: instagram.com/childlifeoncall Facebook: facebook.com/childlifeoncall Twitter: twitter.com/childlifeoncall YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnh95T1MOYtbpBxJaZqg7rg | |||
| Episode 109 | Dimitra’s Story: A Son with Transposition of the Great Arteries and Coarctation of the Aorta | 02 Mar 2022 | 00:54:00 | |
Today we have another story from a heart mama. I wanted to fit them all into February, but I couldn't quite make it. So we are just creeping into March here with Dimitra and her story. Her son also had transposition of the great arteries (TGA), which we heard about in last week’s episode. It’s interesting to see where the two stories are parallel and where they differ. In this episode, we talk about… [1:51] Dimitra’s family and background [3:37] Adapting to changes outside of our control [5:19] Getting the diagnosis of transposition of the great arteries (TGA) [14:05] Pregnancy after confirming a heart defect [18:59] Dimitra’s son’s birth [24:01] Coping with setbacks after birth [28:49] Finding out about her son’s coarctation of the aorta [30:52] Dimitra’s son’s surgeries [39:36] Life after two heart surgeries [43:30] What Dimitra’s son has taught her [48:30] How Dimitra processes and copes with her experiences now
Connect with Dimitra:
Have you heard? The Child Life On Call mobile app for parents, kids and their care team will be available in 2022. Sign up to stay informed here.
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 yourself and your family through life’s challenges. We are so glad you are here.
Website: childlifepodcast.com Merch: bonfire.com/store/childlifeoncall Instagram: instagram.com/childlifeoncall Facebook: facebook.com/childlifeoncall Twitter: twitter.com/childlifeoncall YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnh95T1MOYtbpBxJaZqg7rg | |||
| Episode 108 | Melissa’s Story: A Son with Transposition of the Great Arteries | 23 Feb 2022 | 00:49:24 | |
Here we are in the last week of February, which is heart month, and I am so honored to bring you Melissa’s story. We have discussed other heart defects before, such as tetralogy of fallot and hypoplastic left heart syndrome. This is the first time we are talking about transposition of the great arteries, or TGA. TGA is diagnosed in utero and requires surgery within days. I know Melissa’s story will bring so much value, comfort, and validation to other parents.
In this episode, we talk about… [1:54] Melissa’s background and family [3:29] Getting the diagnosis of of transposition of the great arteries (TGA) [9:26] Melissa’s son’s birth and treatment after birth [15:11] Melissa’s son’s surgery [25:24] Stenosis after surgery [29:15] A second surgery to patch arteries [32:24] Inflammation of the thymus [34:45] Recovery after two surgeries in two weeks [37:15] What helped Melissa through this experience in the hospital [42:00] Going home after five weeks in the hospital [44:50] Update on Melissa’s son
Connect with Melissa:
Have you heard? The Child Life On Call mobile app for parents, kids and their care team will be available in 2022. Sign up to stay informed here. 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 yourself and your family through life’s challenges. We are so glad you are here.
Website: childlifepodcast.com Merch: bonfire.com/store/childlifeoncall Instagram: instagram.com/childlifeoncall Facebook: facebook.com/childlifeoncall Twitter: twitter.com/childlifeoncall YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnh95T1MOYtbpBxJaZqg7rg | |||
| Episode 107 | How to Support Healthy Children of Adults with Illness with Julie May | 16 Feb 2022 | 00:38:03 | |
Julie May has been a child life specialist for almost 20 years. She is here today to talk with us about how to talk to and support kids who have an adult in their lives who has an illness. Julie talks about what Wonders and Worries does, and what is accessible for families today. You can get support anywhere in the United States completely for free! You won’t want to miss this episode, because Julie also shares how to read cues based on a child’s development, how to know if you have taken the conversation too far, if it’s time to play, or if they need any other intervention. Julie is a wealth of knowledge, and I am so glad we get to learn from her.
In this episode, we talk about… [2:02] Julie May’s personal and professional background [4:52] Wonders and Worries: a pioneer program in the child life field [8:42] Advice for parents who want to protect their child from their illness [18:39] Developmental stages and what information children can handle [25:17] Showing emotions in front of children [28:29] Why Julie thinks it is so important to talk to kids about illness [34:51] Getting involved with Wonders and Worries
Connect with Julie:
Have you heard? The Child Life On Call mobile app for parents, kids and their care team will be available in 2022. Sign up to stay informed here. 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 yourself and your family through life’s challenges. We are so glad you are here. Website: childlifepodcast.com Merch: bonfire.com/store/childlifeoncall Instagram: instagram.com/childlifeoncall Facebook: facebook.com/childlifeoncall Twitter: twitter.com/childlifeoncall YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnh95T1MOYtbpBxJaZqg7rg | |||
| Episode 106 | Elizabeth’s Story: A Son with PANDAS | 09 Feb 2022 | 00:46:43 | |
Today’s guest, Elizabeth, had never heard of PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infection) when her son was diagnosed with it. PANDAS is a tough diagnosis, because some doctors believe in it while others do not. Having a child with this diagnosis that only some doctors believe in is incredibly hard to navigate, to say the least. PANDAS is an autoimmune disease closely related to infections, so you will hear Elizabeth talk a bit about how her son’s ear infections seemed to lead to PANDAS. Elizabeth also shares her thoughts about how society does not judge kids with colds, cancer, or appendicitis, but society tends to look down on you when your child suffers from neuropsychiatric symptoms. There are misconceptions that these symptoms are related to bad parenting, violence in the home, poor role models, lack of discipline, or just being a “bad child”. Parents of children with PANDAS have a lot to carry on their shoulders, and I am so glad Elizabeth is here to share her story. In this episode, we talk about… [2:46] Elizabeth’s family and background [5:17] Elizabeth’s son’s first symptoms of PANDAS [9:01] Getting the diagnosis of an acute onset of PANDAS [12:33] Being discharged from the hospital [16:28] More strep, different symptoms [23:38] Juvenile court and the path to treatment [33:58] Searching for the source of PANDAS with medical testing [43:58] How Elizabeth’s son and family are doing after medical treatment [45:09] Elizabeth’s book: What’s Wrong With My Child? Connect with Elizabeth: Book: What's Wrong With My Child?
Have you heard? The Child Life On Call mobile app for parents, kids and their care team will be available in 2022. Sign up to stay informed here. 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 yourself and your family through life’s challenges. We are so glad you are here. Website: childlifepodcast.com Merch: bonfire.com/store/childlifeoncall Instagram: instagram.com/childlifeoncall Facebook: facebook.com/childlifeoncall Twitter: twitter.com/childlifeoncall YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnh95T1MOYtbpBxJaZqg7rg | |||
| Episode 105 | How Child Life Specialists Help Kids and Families After Disasters | 02 Feb 2022 | 00:28:27 | |
Today’s 12 minute talk became a 20+ minute talk, and Cara Smith and I discussed how parents can connect with their children after a disaster. Cara is an amazing pioneer in the child life field, and she has valuable tips both for child life specialists as well as for parents in the wake of a natural disaster, a pandemic, or any other stressful event. In this episode, we talk about… [1:41] Cara’s background [4:18] Burnout as a child life specialist [6:44] Cara’s experience working with children in the wake of a traumatic event [14:13] Supporting caregivers after a disaster [21:39] Giving children the tools to be resilient [24:29] Learning more about working as a child life specialist in disaster relief Connect with Cara:
Have you heard? The Child Life On Call mobile app for parents, kids and their care team will be available in 2022. Sign up to stay informed here. 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 yourself and your family through life’s challenges. We are so glad you are here. Website: childlifepodcast.com Merch: bonfire.com/store/childlifeoncall Instagram: instagram.com/childlifeoncall Facebook: facebook.com/childlifeoncall Twitter: twitter.com/childlifeoncall YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnh95T1MOYtbpBxJaZqg7rg | |||
| Episode 104 | Maureen’s Story: A Daughter with Bilateral Clubfoot | 26 Jan 2022 | 00:43:20 | |
Today’s guest is Maureen, and she found out at her 20 week ultrasound that her daughter had clubfoot. She shares what families have to endure when confronted with a child with clubfoot. You’ll hear about B and B (boots and bar), serial casting, surgeries, doctors’ visits, and the amount of parent intervention that has to take place in the first four to five years of these kids’ lives.
In this episode, we talk about… [2:07] Maureen’s family and background [4:53] Getting a clubfoot diagnosis in utero [11:39] Processing her daughter’s clubfoot diagnosis [13:28] Medical treatment for clubfoot [17:14] Handling the stress of her daughter’s diagnosis [23:32] The parental workload involved with clubfoot maintenance and treatment [26:34] Maureen’s advice for other parents going through the boots and bar scenario [30:05] Sleep challenges related to clubfoot [31:52] Treatment since the boots and bar [34:35] Maureen’s book: Clubfoot Chronicles [40:27] What Maureen’s daughter has taught her through this experience
Connect with Maureen: Have you heard? The Child Life On Call mobile app for parents, kids and their care team will be available in 2022. Sign up to stay informed here. 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 yourself and your family through life’s challenges. We are so glad you are here.
Website: childlifepodcast.com Merch: bonfire.com/store/childlifeoncall Instagram: instagram.com/childlifeoncall Facebook: facebook.com/childlifeoncall Twitter: twitter.com/childlifeoncall YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnh95T1MOYtbpBxJaZqg7rg | |||
| Episode 103 | A Talk with an Expert: Kat Harrison on Living with Medical Challenges, Disability, Mental Health, and Chronic Illness | 19 Jan 2022 | 00:14:21 | |
For today’s 12 minute talk, I’m speaking with Kat Harrison. At the end of 2021, I shared Kat’s episode (episode 99) in which she talked about what it was like being a teenager with chronic illness. During that episode, we touched on what helped her the most when she was a teenager in the hospital and how to support adolescents coping with different medical or mental challenges. I’m so excited to share this talk with you today so you can be more prepared when you’re talking to your own teenager or working in the field with adolescents. In this episode, we talk about… [2:46] Kat’s background [3:19] How parents can empower their teens living with medical and mental health challenges [5:26] Planning for appointments [8:17] Preventing a diagnosis from becoming an identity [10:02] Mental health [11:41] Asking your teen how they want to be supported [13:04] Kat’s books
Connect with Kat:
Have you heard? The Child Life On Call mobile app for parents, kids and their care team will be available in 2022. Sign up to stay informed here. 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 yourself and your family through life’s challenges. We are so glad you are here.
Website: childlifepodcast.com Merch: bonfire.com/store/childlifeoncall Instagram: instagram.com/childlifeoncall Facebook: facebook.com/childlifeoncall Twitter: twitter.com/childlifeoncall YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnh95T1MOYtbpBxJaZqg7rg | |||
| 221:Collaborative care between a Child Life Specialist and Social Worker with Annie Gunning and Haley Thomas at Hope for HIE | 12 Jun 2024 | 00:30:35 | |
On today’s episode, Katie had the privilege of speaking with Annie Gunning, a Certified Child Life Specialist and Grief Counselor, and Haley Thomas, a Licensed Master Social Worker, on their collaborative efforts to support families at Hope for HIE. Annie and Haley tailor their support to each family's unique needs, dedicating time to assess and implement the most effective strategies. Under the visionary leadership of Betsy Pilon, Executive Director of Hope for HIE, Annie and Haley are setting new standards in providing exceptional support to the families they serve.
Key Takeaways
Learn more about Hope for HIE here.
Parent Stories Matter If you enjoyed this episode, we encourage you to listen to more CLOC episodes where we highlight the experiences of parents navigating the healthcare system. Each story offers valuable perspectives and practical advice on supporting and empowering families during their healthcare journeys. When parents feel empowered, everyone wins – kids thrive and the care team excels! Empower Parents & the Care Team with SupportSpot
Learn more here. Meet the host: Katie Taylor is the co-founder and CEO of Child Life On Call, a digital platform designed to provide parents, kids, and the care team with access to child life services tools and resources. She is a certified child life specialist with over 13 years of experience working in various pediatric healthcare settings. Katie is the author of the children's book, and has presented on the topics of child life and entrepreneurship, psychosocial care in the hospital, and supporting caregivers in the NICU setting both nationally and internationally. She is also the host of the Child Life On Call Podcast which features interviews with parents discussing their experiences throughout their child's medical journey. The podcast emphasizes the crucial role of child life services in enabling caregivers both at and beyond the bedside.
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| Episode 102 | Betsy’s Story: Hope for HIE (Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy) | 12 Jan 2022 | 00:46:41 | |
Today’s guest is Betsy, from an organization called Hope for HIE (Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy). HIE refers to brain injury in an infant, and Betsy will share more specifics about the condition and her family’s experience with it in our discussion. I originally learned about this organization through working in the NICU here in Texas, and it is a wonderful source of support for parents struggling in completely unknown territory with their babies. In this episode, we talk about… [1:19] HIE: Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy [2:29] Betsy’s family [3:02] The beginning of the HIE journey [11:36] Brain cooling (therapeutic hypothermia) [15:10] Seeing your baby in the NICU [24:06] Warming after therapeutic hypothermia [24:41] MRI day and diagnosing the severity of HIE [30:58] Leaving the NICU [36:01] Moving forward with career and family as parents of a child with HIE [41:20] A current update on Betsy’s son and family Connect with Betsy: Have you heard? The Child Life On Call mobile app for parents, kids and their care team will be available in 2022. Sign up to stay informed here. 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 yourself and your family through life’s challenges. We are so glad you are here. Website: childlifepodcast.com Merch: bonfire.com/store/childlifeoncall Instagram: instagram.com/childlifeoncall Facebook: facebook.com/childlifeoncall Twitter: twitter.com/childlifeoncall YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnh95T1MOYtbpBxJaZqg7rg | |||
| Episode 101 | Christiana’s Story: A Son with Osteosarcoma | 05 Jan 2022 | 00:47:05 | |
As we kick off the new year, my guest Christiana is sharing the story of her son’s osteosarcoma. Nathaniel has passed away, but his family created Nathaniel’s Childhood Cancer Foundation in his name and legacy. Christiana walks us through his experience with osteosarcoma from the beginning, and she shares details about his battles with childhood cancer. In this episode, we talk about… [1:27] Introducing Christiana and her family [3:09] The beginning of Nathaniel’s story with osteosarcoma [11:49] Nathaniel’s osteosarcoma diagnosis [14:32] How Nathaniel reacted to these sudden life changes [18:52] What was helping Christiana through her son’s cancer battle [21:02] Health insurance and hospitals [23:01] Nathaniel’s experience after amputation [28:06] Finding out that Nathaniel’s cancer had spread [32:13] Getting fitted for a prosthetic and accessing video games post-amputation [35:11] Treatment after radiation [36:19] Nathaniel’s last days [40:28] Nathaniel’s Childhood Cancer Foundation
Connect with Christiana: Have you heard? The Child Life On Call mobile app for parents, kids and their care team will be available in 2022. Sign up to stay informed here. 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 yourself and your family through life’s challenges. We are so glad you are here. Website: childlifepodcast.com Merch: bonfire.com/store/childlifeoncall Instagram: instagram.com/childlifeoncall Facebook: facebook.com/childlifeoncall Twitter: twitter.com/childlifeoncall YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnh95T1MOYtbpBxJaZqg7rg | |||
| Episode 100 | Thoughts about the Child Life Field | 22 Dec 2021 | 00:15:34 | |
It’s the 100th episode! Today I’m opening up a bit and letting you get to know more about me as well as more about what a child life specialist does. I will be sharing my thoughts about the holiday season, and then I will answer some questions about child life. In this episode, I talk about… [2:57] The child life perspective on dealing with holiday feelings [7:21] A commonly held belief about my role that I passionately disagree with [8:41] What I wish my younger self knew about being a child life specialist [9:22] What I would buy with ten times my current budget [10:35] Something everybody in my industry should start doing [12:11] The biggest challenge child life is facing today [13:37] How I self-educate [13:56] The topic of a book I would want to write [14:29] Wrapping up the year
Have you heard? The Child Life On Call mobile app for parents, kids and their care team will be available in 2022. Sign up to stay informed here.
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 yourself and your family through life’s challenges. We are so glad you are here.
Website: childlifepodcast.com Merch: bonfire.com/store/childlifeoncall Instagram: instagram.com/childlifeoncall Facebook: facebook.com/childlifeoncall Twitter: twitter.com/childlifeoncall YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnh95T1MOYtbpBxJaZqg7rg | |||