My Child Life Journey

I have always been drawn to working with children. As I have aged, I have discovered a real passion for support work, teaching, and helping others. I debated being a teacher, a doctor, a psychologist, or a social worker. Then, several years ago, a family friend faced the challenge of a cancer diagnosis for their pre-teen daughter. During this time, I had the opportunity to learn about what the field of child life is and how it was making a difference in her treatment and time spent both in and out of the hospital. At that moment, it all clicked for me. I knew that child life was the way I could make a positive impact on the world. I’ve seen firsthand the toll that procedures, hospital stays, and medical diagnoses can take on a child and their family. Being able to lighten this burden, help normalize an unfamiliar and potentially scary environment, and offer a sense of control, confidence, and calm to those in these situations is such an honor and an opportunity I am proud to be pursuing.