What if every milestone your child was supposed to reach came with countless curve balls? For Alexis Kaplan, motherhood quickly turned into a journey of advocacy, strength, and unwavering love as she navigated her daughter Gabby’s complex and rare health conditions....
Episode 147 | Expert: Child Life Specialists in Sweden
Podcast Show Notes
On today’s episode of the podcast we will hear from Kirsten Black, a Certified Child Life Specialist, who had the opportunity to visit children’s hospitals in Sweden. Kirsten shares her perspective on the major differences in pediatric healthcare, what she learned along the way and how it has influenced her as a Child Life Specialist. She shares her unconventional yet beautiful journey to the field of Child Life.
[4:00] Introducing herself
[7:15] Pivoting after the economy crashed
[8:30] A seed was planted
[10:15] Utilizing her degree in education
[12:00] Using a brain map to help a patient with taking a medication
[14:00] Connecting with Pediatric Hospice in London
[15:15] Going to the Ronald McDonald House in Sweden
[18:33] Several connections lead to many different children’s hospitals in Sweden
[22:27] Legal rights for children in Swedish Hospitals
[23:35] The value of children and families in Sweden
[25:48] Child Life specialists have an education degree in Sweden
[28:41] Advocating for ourselves as Child Life Specialists
[29:21] Nurses are trained to think through a poke plan prior to an injection
[34:05] Low technology toys and activities
[35:00] Accessibility to different languages in books
[37:30] Anatomically correct dolls in Sweden
Connect with Kirsten:
Whether you are a parent or professional, we want you to join our community. Sign up for our newsletter here.
Parents, download our free parent starter kit.
When you download our starter kit, you’ll learn how to:
- Give medicine to your child without it becoming a wrestling match
- Prepare your child (and yourself) for a shot so they can feel less anxious
- Create and use a coping plan for any medical appointment or procedure
The first sign of sniffles, or worse, shouldn’t send you into a tailspin. Feel confident in your role as a parent and advocate, no matter what medical situation you’re facing.
Child life specialists, get affordable PDUs on-demand here.
Shop for your CLOC gear here.
Catch up with CLOC on Instagram, Facebook and meet Katie for a Q+A every Monday at 10 AM CST.
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