Child’s Play, Live from Legacy Emanuel Children’s Hospital
Several weeks back I visited a local children’s hospital to get a better handle on just how Child’s Play makes a difference in kids’ lives. It was awesome. I wrote about it for The Escapist. Here’s an excerpt:
Some kids arrive by ambulance. Others by helicopter. Some will leave the same day. Others will stay for weeks. Whether they’re in the burn unit, the trauma center, the oncology department or the rehabilitation unit, the children at Legacy Emanuel Children’s Hospital in Portland, Oregon, all have one thing in common: They’d rather be somewhere else.
Jen Usinger is one of five certified Child Life specialists at Legacy Emanuel, dedicated to helping young patients cope with the pain, anxiety and boredom that inevitably accompany their hospital stays. “It’s a kid’s job to play and have fun,” she says, “and we try to incorporate that into their hospital experience.” Penny Arcade’s Child’s Play charity helps them do just that.
You can read the full article here.