Philosopher William Penn said, “I expect to pass through life but once. If therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again…” The above words summarize my intent as a human being and child life specialist: to give unconditional positive regard to individuals in need. The profession of child life provides children and their families with support, kindness, and compassion. It would be a privilege to “pass through life” as a child life specialist.

 

My desire to be a child life specialist has been confirmed through my work with children through AmeriCorps, Global Volunteers, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, and especially the University of Iowa Children's Hospital. My love for my Child Life Assistant position continued to grow throughout the years. I was honored to work alongside of compassionate coworkers and privileged to interact and play with amazing children. The courage, vitality, and character of these children have forever changed my outlook on life; they embody strength of character that I admire.

 

Child life specialists are vital for children and their families who experience a variety of stressful, traumatic, and life threatening events. Child life specialists work to teach resiliency and coping skills through self-expression activities and many forms of play. These activities are important because they foster the ability for the child to heal and continue a typical developmental pathway that would otherwise be hindered by the stressors he or she experiences. Proverb states, “The body heals with play, the mind heals with laughter, and the spirit heals with joy.” Child life specialists are strong advocates for play, laughter, and joy. The importance of child life surfaced during a group activity I was facilitating at the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital. A patient’s grandmother graciously thanked me for the services child life offers. She then said, “My granddaughter told me she wants to be a child life specialist when she grows up.”

 

In the future I see myself working in a hospital setting focusing on providing grief and bereavement as well as a variety of other support services. I see myself advocating for family-centered care, procedural support, education on coping strategies, and opportunities for normalization, play, joy, and laughter. I will call on my compassion, kindness, empathy, and positive attitude to make hospitalization better for the children and their families. I will work selflessly for the well-being of the children and their families.