HSC Children’s Hospital recognizing child life specialists

Each year over 140,000 children come through the doors at Winnipeg’s HSC Children’s Hospital, and this month, the hospital is paying tribute to its team of child life specialists, who work tirelessly to make children feel at home, whether that’s in the hospital’s library, or in today’s case, making a colourful batch of slime.

Experts in childhood development and therapeutic programming — members of HSC’s Child Life Team like Stephanie Doerksen — spend their days helping children and families adjust to life away from home.

“When families come to the hospital, it’s usually a brand-new environment and there can be a lot of scary things that come along with it.  So we are here to mitigate those fears and anxieties,” said Doerksen.

“Having the child life team at our hospital is super important because we are here for the children and the families.”

Now in her fifth year with the HSC’s Child Life Team, Doerksen is often taken aback by the unwavering joy and enthusiasm shown by children like 6-year-old Emma.

“To see them come out in the end and be just so positive and ready to carry on with life it’s just so inspiring and moving,” explained Doerksen.

Of course, none of this would be possible without the generosity of donors, with each and every dollar raised going towards brightening a child’s day.

“It doesn’t take much, 5 dollars, 10 dollars can buy a book which is very meaningful to a child in a hospital when they need a little bit of an escape,” said Sara Shyiak, marketing and communications at Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba.