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