Courage Tiger's Road Trip Day 27: Child Life in Nebraska

I’m not in Kansas anymore, I'm in Nebraska! Did you guys know that Beads of Courage has one member hospital in this state, and it's Children's Hospital & Medical Center. I stopped to visit, and I had the wonderful opportunity to talk with Melissa, a Child Life Specialist here at the hospital.

Melissa and Gwen with her Beads of Courage

Melissa and I talked about how Beads of Courage gives a way for patients to tell their stories. She told me that “they look forward to collecting their beads each week and adding to their strings.  I also think it helps the parents, some of the parents get really into the beads, I think it helps them cope with what is happening to their child.” Melissa told me that Beads of Courage even helps shy patients to talk about their treatment and everything that they have gone through.

Gwen receiving Beads of Courage

Melissa thinks Beads of Courage is important as a Child Life Specialist, saying:

“It helps families and patients open up about their treatment journey, which can tell me how to better serve them.  It also helps me touch base with every family every week.”

Melissa is so awesome, and definitely Makes Courage Roar! To insure that Child Life Specialists like Melissa have beads to help their patients, be sure to fund the mission and participate in the 9^th Annual Bead Challenge!

Courage Tiger’s 2017 Road Trip is a feature of the 9th Annual Bead Challenge, a three-month nationwide fundraiser and beadraiser for Beads of Courage. As the official Beads of Courage mascot, Courage Tiger is visiting all 50 states to highlight the incredible work our organization does by sharing stories of our courageous members, families, clinicians, and the caring community of artists and supporters who make our vital work possible. Please get involved in Bead Challenge 2017 by visiting www.beadchallenge.org today. Sign up to PARTICIPATE as a fundraiser, CREATE glass beads, or DONATE to the cause. With your help, we can Make Courage Roar for kids coping with serious illness! Many thanks to Bead Challenge 2017 presenting sponsor Northwestern Mutual and supporting sponsor Soda Lime Times.

- Contributed by Cristal Rogers, Marketing and Communications Intern, Beads of Courage