Child Life On Call

When it comes to the Coronavirus, how we inform our children is incredibly important. If you’re wondering though, how can we talk to our kids when we as adults still don’t know exactly what’s happening, you’re not alone. This article covers suggestions for age-appropriate language to use as well as general considerations to keep in … How to Talk to Kids about the Coronavirus Read More »

This episode is not a cancer story. This is a story about a loving family, a precious child, and how to find miracles during the darkest parts of life. In this episode, Katie interviews Scott Kramer, father to Maddie. Maddie was diagnosed with atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (AT/RT) at just two and a half years … Episode 33 | Scott’s Story – A daughter with a rare cancerous tumor Read More »

In this episode Katie Taylor, Certified Child Life Specialist interviews Tara Geraghty, President and Founder of Making Cancer Fun. Tara is momma to Emily who was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma at just three years old. Tara used positivity and FUN to help herself and her daughter cope with their cancer journey. Tara is an … Episode 32 | Tara with Making Cancer Fun’s Story – A daughter with Neuroblastoma Read More »

In this episode, Laurie is interviewed by Annie Jones, CCLS. Laurie is a wife, mom, and advocate. She talks about her daughter’s life with Down syndrome, the life-saving heart surgeries her daughter has gone through, and how she balances it all. Laurie has become an advocate for Emily and other kids with similar conditions and […]

This isn’t your typical Child Life On Call episode! Katie sits down with two other child life specialists and each talks about their journey into child life, some “child life wins,” and the hilarious things that kids have said to them over the years. About twenty minutes in, you’ll hear Jamie second guess whether or … Katie Chat with other Child Life Specialists Read More »

This episode of the Child Life On Call podcast is different that what you’re used to hearing, but I fell in LOVE with a book called Tiger Livy and I knew I had to interview the authors. Tiger Livy is the story of a brave six-year-old who inspires empathy, patience, and grit in young readers. It … Tiger Livy’s Story – An interview with Erin Garcia and Betsy Miller Read More »

This is Lauren’s Story – A daughter with congenital heart defects on the Child Life On Call Podcast, hosted by Katie Taylor, Certified Child Life Specialist. Little Everly is just over two years and has more fight and life inside of her than most of us could ever dream of. And she’s not the only … Lauren’s Story – A daughter with Congenital Heart Defects Read More »

This episode features Alexandra Ortega, mom of three. She shares the stories of her two son’s Theo and Noah. First, we talk about her second-born, Noah, who suffered a traumatic brain injury during his birth at 35 weeks. Next, we talk about her third-born, Noah, who was born at 28 weeks. Alex talks about their … Alex Ortega’s Story – A son’s traumatic brain injury at birth and another born at 28 weeks Read More »

In this episode you will hear from Gillian, cohost of the For Grits and Giggles podcast. Gillian describe her personal journey that includes a cancer diagnosis for her infant daughter and life altering accident that happened a year after she finished chemotherapy. She shares her own personal struggles in coping and how she sought medical … Gillian’s Story – A daughter with Infant Leukemia Read More »

Meredith, mom to now 8-year-old Lola, shares her experience with her daughter who was diagnosed with Bosch-Boonstra-Schaaf optic atrophy syndrome (BBSOAS) shortly after she was three-years-old. However, their story didn’t begin there. As an adventure, Meredith talks about how she and her husband moved to Costa Rica from Indiana after they were married. Lola was … Episode 25 | Meredith Howell’s Story – a daughter with a rare genetic condition (BBSOAS) Read More »

It’s a moment that many parents on this podcast have talked about. Your at your ultrasound, pregnant with your child, and all of a sudden the mood of the room changes. Either the technician leaves, or a doctor walks in to “take a closer look” … a million questions and thoughts and fears run through … Episode 24 | Jade Marie’s Story – A daughter with hypoplastic left heart syndrome Read More »

After a long fertility journey and a high risk, stressful, and very sick pregnancy, Stephanie gave birth at 26 weeks due to severe preeclampsia. Stephanie, mom to Adeline, shares her experiences in the NICU and describes Addie’s difficulty with digestion. A long road of unknowns eventually led to a diagnosis of functional short bowel syndrome. … Episode 23 | Stephanie’s Story – A daughter with functional short bowel syndrome Read More »

Belinda, a mom, certified child life specialist, teacher and creator of ChildLifeConnection.com shares her story with us today on the final episode of season two of the Child Life On Call Podcast. As a cancer survivor herself, Belinda knew that she wanted her life’s work to positively impact hospitalized children and thus she became a … Season 2 Finale: Belinda’s Story – A son with low muscle tone, epilepsy and autism Read More »

At Alex’s 20-week ultrasound appointment, she and her husband learned that their daughter, Lucy, had heterotaxy and congenital heart defects. From that moment, their lives changed and they became advocates and fighters for their spunky daughter who is now one year old. In this episode, Alex talks about Lucy’s birth, surgeries, hospitalizations and ER visits. … Alex’s Story – A daughter born with congenital heart defects and heterotaxy Read More »

Sarah shares her experience with a son who acquired a common called RSV and how it eventually led to pneumonia and being hospitalized for a week. We talk about some of the hardest parts of being in the hospital like waiting for a diagnosis, not being able to cuddle your child who is hooked up … Sarah’s Story – A toddler hospitalized with RSV and Pneumonia Read More »

At just 25 weeks pregnant, Courtney was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia and was hospitalized. Just 5 days later and after a terrifying emergent c-section, she would meet her daughter, McKenzie. In this episode Courtney talks about her entire experience from her own hospitalization and her daughter’s 5-month stay in the NICU, and eventually going home. She … Courtney’s Story – A daughter born at 25 weeks Read More »

Meredith, a nurse and mother of two, describes her experience as a new mom and what happened when her five-week-old had a fever. After several tests in the ER, she and her family learned that their new son had meningitis. Meredith talks about what their ER and hospital was like with a newborn. Two years … Meredith’s story – A newborn with meningitis and a Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy at 2 years old Read More »

Torie is a young adult with gastroperesis. Torie’s journey has been a long one which includes a car accident, receiving total nutrition through an IV, NOT EATING FOOD FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR, and being told her illness was related to anxiety. These things, however, don’t even touch the tip of the iceberg when it comes … Torie’s Story – A young adult with gastroperesis Read More »

Lyndsey’s daughter failed her newborn hearing screening soon after birth, but it didn’t alarm Lyndsey since her son had also failed his first test after he was born. After a second failed test, Lyndsey was asked to return soon after for another exam from an audiologist. They would soon learn that her daughter had severe … Lyndsey’s story – A daughter with hearing loss and bilateral cochlear implants Read More »

Today’s episode features two women. First, we will hear from Alexis whose son went through a fairly common surgery, ear tubes, and she will talk about what their experience was like. However, as child life specialists and parents we know thate despite how “common” or “routine” a surgery may be, those words don’t begin to … Alexis’ story – ear tubes surgery and how to support your child through surgery Read More »