As a dedicated social work student, currently pursuing my Child Life certification, I am passionate about making a positive impact on the lives of children and their families in hospital settings. My journey toward this goal began with a deeply personal experience that has shaped my purpose and passion for serving this population. When I was five years old, my younger sister was diagnosed with pediatric kidney cancer. While her hospitalization was an incredibly challenging time for my family, one of the things I am grateful for is that it introduced me to the invaluable role of Child Life Specialists. During her treatment, these professionals not only supported my sister but also had a profound impact on our entire family. They provided comfort, education, and empowerment during an incredibly challenging time, helping us navigate the complexities of the hospital environment. Witnessing the positive influence of child life specialists ignited my passion for this field, as I realized the critical need for advocacy and support for pediatric patients and their families. Following my sister's recovery, we were invited to attend a week-long summer camp for former patients and their families. This camp became a pivotal experience for me, further fueling my dedication to pediatric care. The camp provided a unique space where medical trauma was understood, shared, and addressed in a supportive community. It underscored the importance of creating environments where children and their families can heal, connect, and find joy amidst their challenges. Today, I volunteer at this camp every summer, and it is the most fulfilling and joyful experience of my year. I am assigned to the youngest girls' cabin, working with children aged 5 to 8. This age group holds a special place in my heart because it is often their first time away from home. I have the privilege of watching these young girls let their guard down, step out of their shells, and grow in confidence each day. This volunteer opportunity allows me to witness firsthand how community, joy, and new experiences build resilience and bring light to a very dark time in these children's lives. Volunteering at camp has reinforced my belief in the transformative power of support, education, and empowerment in healthcare settings. I have developed crucial skills in empathy, communication, and child-centered care, which are essential for my future career as a child life specialist. My interactions with the children and their families have deepened my understanding of their needs and the importance of creating positive, nurturing environments for healing.

When people reflect on their kindergarten year, they often recall the excitement of making new friends, laughing on the playground, and proudly reciting their ABC’s; my memories are a little different. I remember endless car rides to the hospital to visit my sister and the overwhelming smell of antiseptic every time I walked through the hospital doors. I remember my three-year-old sister lying in a hospital bed that seemed to swallow her whole, with strange tubes coming from her arms and out her nose. Above all else, I remember the fear and confusion of being thrust into a world that I was too young to understand. Because I know firsthand how confusing and terrifying hospitals can be to young children, I understand the importance of providing emotional support and guidance to pediatric cancer families. Through my experiences surrounding pediatric cancer, I have learned that however, pediatric cancer treatment extends far beyond medicine. My sister fought cancer, and because of her fight, I want to dedicate myself to helping others as a Child Life Specialist. While my sister was in the hospital, my family became close with many of the medical staff. However, those that I remember most did not wear stethoscopes or use lengthy medical terms. The Child Life department played a vital role in helping me feel more comfortable in a foreign hospital setting. They simplified complex procedures and explained them in a way I could understand. I still remember a Child Life Specialist sitting down with me to explain that the doctors were going to give my sister an IV. She gave me a doll and taught me how to place an IV in its tiny arm. Suddenly, something that was nerve-wracking and unknown became an entertaining game. Looking back, that memory reminds me how simple it can be to make an intimidating environment more comfortable for children. Child Life Specialists made me feel seen and valued in the stressful environment of a hospital by prioritizing education and guidance, and I want to do the same for other children and families. The impact of my sister’s treatment continued long after she was cancer free. While our close family and friends were extremely supportive, they could not relate in the same way that people who shared a similar experience could. Patients and their siblings grow up with a different view of the world because of the trauma they experienced as a child—it can be very isolating. The fear of cancer returning follows families impacted by cancer for the rest of their lives, regardless of doctors’ reassurances. A few years after my sister’s treatment, she and I attended a camp organized by the Scott and White Child Life department for former pediatric cancer patients and their siblings. That summer we finally found others who shared our experiences and fears. There are no words to describe the bond that forms between people who relate on such a vulnerable level. Because this sense of community was so important in my own healing, I want to be able to provide resources like this to other children in similar situations. The emotional recovery from cancer is a long and difficult road to walk, but I want to be there every step of the way for children and their families. It is because of my experiences that I am passionate about helping other children impacted by pediatric cancer. My own life has been greatly impacted by Child Life Specialists, and I want to pass on all that they have done for me and my family to others.