COLUMBIA, S.C. – Making Hospital Stays a Little Brighter for Kids
No child ever dreams of spending time in the hospital, but when the day comes, there are compassionate individuals determined to ease that experience. At Prisma Health, a dedicated group of Child Life Specialists works hard to make the transition to hospital life as gentle as possible for young patients. Through creativity, compassion, and a sprinkle of fun, these specialists help kids feel more at ease.
A Fun Way to Cope with Stress
One exciting way they strive to ease the tension is by providing children with choices whenever possible. For instance, during a recent demonstration, Child Life Specialist Gayatri Reddy engaged a former patient named Dawson in a lighthearted manner. “Do you want to put it on your head, or would you like me to put it on your head?” she asked, referring to a colorful surgical cap. Dawson, full of enthusiasm and confidence, exclaimed, “I want to put it on!” He eagerly reached for the cap, proudly flaunting his favorite characters—the Ninja Turtles.
The CAPtivating Program
It’s all part of the Surgical Cap Program, which was designed with the goal of making hospital visits less intimidating for kids. Volunteers across the country have come together to create and donate a variety of surgical caps that feature cheerful designs, from playful characters to the logos of popular sports teams. This program, known as CAPtivating, started in 2008 and has been a wonderful addition to the care provided at Prisma Health.
Reddy spoke about how rewarding it is to watch the children pick a cap that reflects their personality. “Being able to help the child ease their anxieties, as well as the parents’ anxieties, it’s so rewarding,” she explained. Whenever a new patient arrives, the specialists often notice visible tension. But by introducing the surgical cap collection and allowing children to choose their favorite, that tension begins to fade, making way for smiles and a bit of laughter.
Gratitude for Generosity
The commitment to providing these caps comes from a place of gratitude as well. Reddy emphasized how thankful the Child Life Team is to their volunteers, saying, “I just want to thank our volunteers; we are just so grateful for every cap we receive at Prisma Children’s Hospital Midlands.” The program has gradually gained momentum, and there is a constant need for new cap donations to keep the excitement alive among the young patients.
Looking to the Future
Exciting developments are on the horizon for the CAPtivating program, as the hospital is looking to expand this fantastic initiative to other Prisma locations, including the Upstate and Sumter areas. This expansion will allow even more children to benefit from the colorful caps that make their time in the hospital a little less stressful and a lot more fun.
For those who want to be a part of this heartwarming initiative, more information on how to donate caps or participate can easily be found online. It’s a simple way to make a meaningful difference in the lives of young patients facing the challenges of hospitalization.
While no child looks forward to a hospital visit, programs like these certainly shine a bright light amid uncertain times, showing that even in the most trying situations, hope, creativity, and community support can create joy and comfort.
