I could write an essay explaining that the children I've babysat have inspired me to go into the medical field, specifically becoming a Child Life Specialist as they have been in and out of hospitals. But that simply isn't the truth. I am my inspiration. In 5th grade, I began telling my doctor my knees hurt. He told me I had Osgood Schlatter Syndrome, a common growth syndrome that simply goes away with time. In 7th grade, standing as tall as I could I had plateaued in height, going through all of those growing pains to be a not so tall 5'4. Despite my lack of growth and worsening pain, they continued to write off my pain as Osgood Schlatter until I was in so much pain I could not walk. At that point I heard for the first time the words that would be shoved down my throat, silencing my cries: "Nothing is wrong. It's all in your head". At twelve all of your faith is still in doctors and healthcare professionals, so when they say that nothing is wrong, well nothing is wrong. After contracting COVID around a year later, I began experiencing issues with worsening dizziness and fatigue. I told my doctor because this was new, different. He simply told me to drink more water, stand up slower. So, I drank water. I drank water until I was sick, drinking so much my thirteen-year-old stomach protested, cramping as I forced more water into my body every single time I felt dizzy. I eventually switched doctors, who upon hearing this told me to get bloodwork done to check my iron. All of my symptoms lined up with those with low iron, I thought that this would be the answer. One pill every morning filled with iron and all of my problems would be gone, but it wasn't that easy. When my bloodwork came back normal, I heard those words I began to dislike: "Nothing is wrong. It's all in your head". Social media eventually brought me a possible answer: Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, or POTS. The more I read about it the more I identified with this disease, with its related illnesses such as Ehlers Danlos. For weeks after weeks I captured my heart racing when I stood or went up the stairs, using my Apple Watch in hopes that this would be evidence: this would bring me an answer and it could be fixed. I was begrudgingly referred to a Pediatric Cardiologist, who immediately did an EKG when seeing my heart racing and my low blood pressure, which revealed nothing. I sat, waiting for him to come in, dreading those words I had come to loathe. He walks in with a clipboard, telling me the EKG looks clear but doesn't continue his sentence as I expected. He adds that he thinks I have POTS, he's sending me home with a heart monitor and salt tablets to officially diagnose me and begin treatment. Exactly one month later I am sitting in the same office, far too happy about a diagnosis that many would consider upsetting. He immediately starts me on additional medicine, getting my blood pressure up, increasing fluid retention, increasing my salt consumption even more. One kind healthcare professional advocated for me, in the end allowing me to live my life. As a child life Specialist, I will be able to advocate for children and their families, making sure the information is presented in an understandable manner for all. I will be the advocate that informs, that is sure every patient is getting what they need.

Nurses are overworked by hospitals, therefore it is vital to give them aid where it is possible. Nurses work countless hours and are sometimes tasked with jobs outside of their jurisdiction. Along with this, children are being traumatized while in hospitals, as most medical staff are not trained properly. Doctors and nurses are wonderful and fully trained for their job, but they are simply not trained on Psychology to help patients and parents through difficult times in the hospital. Because of this, I believe that in any situation where a child is involved, a Child Life Specialist needs to be involved. This would help to reduce situations in the hospital that would cause additional stress on children and parents, and therefore increase quality of care. Child Life Specialists are not only needed in situations where kids are ill (such as the PICU) but situations where parents are ill or babies are in the NICU. Although some may argue that babies in the NICU cannot make sense of what is going on, it is extremely important for a trained professional to be present. Putting Child Life Specialists in the NICU can help to reduce the stress on parents, which will Nurses are overworked by hospitals, therefore it is vital to give them aid where it is possible. Along with this, children are being traumatized while in hospitals. Doctors and nurses are amazing, but they are simply not trained on Psychology to help patients and parents through difficult times in the hospital. Because of this, I believe that in any situation where a child is involved, a Child Life Specialist needs to be involved. This would help to reduce situations in the hospital that would cause additional stress on children and parents, and therefore increase quality of care. to patients and lead to better recovery. In adult care wards, Child Life Specialists can help children cope with their loved ones illness. If children don't associate medical tools that their adult is using with fear, children will be able to spend more time with their loved ones. Seeing their kids happy would help reduce the stress of parents, leading to positive results and faster healing times. Child Life Specialists also should be present in ambulances and other emergency vehicles when approaching a situation where a child may be involved. Ambulances are often overwhelming, loud, crowded places, where the child is getting IV's and other possibly painful procedures. As stress in children increases due to these circumstances, their body responds with increased heart rate, blood pressure, and a lack of impulse control. This can make situations worse for the child, and because the EMT's are not properly trained to deal with children like Child Life Specialists are it can be difficult to deescalate. If Child Life Specialists were present in all situations involving a child, children will be far calmer, leading to better outcomes for both parents and children. Although there is only so much you can do to make hospitals a positive experience for patients, Child Life Specialists can increase the quality of life and care of children and parents.