Sofia is excited to wear her jeans this May. The 11-year-old has spent far too much time in hospital gowns in her young life, undergoing treatment at BC Children香蕉视频直播檚 Hospital for an intestinal abnormality.
This May, she香蕉视频直播檚 asking you to join her and for BC香蕉视频直播檚 children!
Born with a painful condition where the intestines did not rotate properly during development, Sofia was diagnosed at age 6, when she underwent her first of three surgeries to correct her anatomy. By 2018, Sofia was in and out of BC Children香蕉视频直播檚 every two weeks, including her third surgery to relieve and correct nine intestinal obstructions.
Throughout her experience at BC Children香蕉视频直播檚, Child and Youth Therapeutic Services have played an important role, providing supports through art activities, therapeutic clown visits, pet therapy, and special events at the hospital. The team of Certified Child Life Specialists have followed Sofia throughout her journey, developing a 香蕉视频直播楥oping Plan香蕉视频直播� indicating the best ways to calm and comfort Sofia during specific types of procedures, such as letting Sofia watch and doing a count down when inserting an IV.
Certified Child Life Specialist Claire Brown, supports Sofia on her frequent visits. For example, when it香蕉视频直播檚 time to remove Sofia香蕉视频直播檚 PICC line 香蕉视频直播� a catheter in her arm used to deliver nutrition when she can香蕉视频直播檛 eat on her own 香蕉视频直播� Claire helps keep Sofia calm by practicing a breathing technique with her.
Claire also shares what to expect in procedures using medical play 香蕉视频直播� demonstrating the procedure using dolls so Sofia understands what will be happening and is more prepared.
香蕉视频直播淪ofia is the type of person who needs to know everything that香蕉视频直播檚 going on, even if it makes her upset,香蕉视频直播� says Meehae, Sofia香蕉视频直播檚 mother. 香蕉视频直播淐laire is so patient in explaining the procedures over and over until Sofia can process it in her own mind. Kids don香蕉视频直播檛 get a choice about having these scary procedures, and this really helps them feel more in control.香蕉视频直播�
Will you Jean Up for BC香蕉视频直播檚 children?
This May, BC Children香蕉视频直播檚 Hospital Foundation is on a mission to make jeans a symbol of something bigger 香蕉视频直播揾elping kids like Sofia get out of their hospital gowns and back into their jeans.
For three decades, workplaces and staff around the province have donned their favourite denims for the Foundation香蕉视频直播檚 annual 香蕉视频直播淛eans Day香蕉视频直播� fundraiser.
This year, as the vital BC event celebrates 30 years, it was time to do something bigger. This May, you香蕉视频直播檙e encouraged to 香蕉视频直播淛ean Up香蕉视频直播� and join the month-long movement!
As the only children香蕉视频直播檚 hospital in the province, tens of thousands of kids count on care they can香蕉视频直播檛 get anywhere else.
Ensuring every child receives the best health care possible is an enormous job, and COVID-19 is making it even more challenging.
So while we香蕉视频直播檝e all spent more time in sweatpants than jeans lately, by Jeaning Up this May, you can make a difference to health care providers and kids across BC.
香蕉视频直播淲e never expected to be a part of the hospital community when Sofia was born,香蕉视频直播� Meehae says. After 11 years and countless hospital stays, we are forever grateful to everyone at BC Children香蕉视频直播檚 for working so hard to give her a normal, happy life. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.香蕉视频直播�
Jean Up today!
This May, Jean Up to show you care, safely from home.
Businesses can also 香蕉视频直播� even while physical distancing and working remotely at home. Set up your company fundraising page and collect donations by sharing your company香蕉视频直播檚 donation link.
To get involved, donate online at , and then pick a day, week or even the entire month of May to wear your favourite denim. Better yet? Snap and post a selfie in your jeans on social media to show your support of BC香蕉视频直播檚 kids. Don香蕉视频直播檛 forget to tag @bcchf and include #JeanUp. And for those on Instagram, search 香蕉视频直播淛ean Up香蕉视频直播� in the GIF area to add your virtual sticker to your selfie!
