The Child Life Specialist introduced herself to me, and told me about the HOPE Beads program. Young patients receive a list of things to check off in regards to procedures that they have endured, such as: surgery, IV, chest tubes, EKG, blood transfusions, etc. When they leave the hospital, they leave with a beaded necklace. Each unique bead symbolizes something that he or she has endured. It sort of tells their battle scars. My little warrior has at least 20 items checked, and I told T.J. to look at everything that his sister had done. I said, "Look at all of these. Jiliang is so strong. She is going to have a lot of beads, and she deserves them."
Of course, T.J. responds very matter-of-fact: "Does she get one for falling out of bed? She needs one for that." The nurse burst into laughter, as well as I.
We wrote in "Fell out of bed" next to Special Event.
Jill :)
This blog is intended for our family, friends and other adoptive parents, as we share our daughter's adoption story from Gaoyou, China to Michigan, and our Faith journey through God’s Amazing Grace. *******ALL RIGHTS RESERVED*******
"When life gives you rain, God gives you rainbows." ~ Unknown Author
Cute! What a great idea for the children!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you can laugh about the bed incident. By chance have you met my cousin yet? She's one of the child life specialists for the cardiology unit (Mary Hurst). Although she's now married and maybe goes by a different last name, which I can't remember at the moment..oops. You little girl deserves ALOT after this hospitalization. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteHA!! That's great!! Good one T.J.!
ReplyDeleteAnd she deserves each and every one of those beads! Hope things are better today :)
ReplyDeleteHugs
Monica
Great story, Jill.
ReplyDeleteMy prayers and thoughts are with you.
ReplyDeleteKids say the cutest things. :)
ReplyDelete