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害羞草研究所檚 Hospital for an intestinal abnormality.
This May, she害羞草研究所檚 asking you to join her and for BC害羞草研究所檚 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害羞草研究所檚 every two weeks, including her third surgery to relieve and correct nine intestinal obstructions.
Throughout her experience at BC Children害羞草研究所檚, 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 害羞草研究所楥oping Plan害羞草研究所� 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害羞草研究所檚 time to remove Sofia害羞草研究所檚 PICC line 害羞草研究所� a catheter in her arm used to deliver nutrition when she can害羞草研究所檛 eat on her own 害羞草研究所� Claire helps keep Sofia calm by practicing a breathing technique with her.
Claire also shares what to expect in procedures using medical play 害羞草研究所� demonstrating the procedure using dolls so Sofia understands what will be happening and is more prepared.
害羞草研究所淪ofia is the type of person who needs to know everything that害羞草研究所檚 going on, even if it makes her upset,害羞草研究所� says Meehae, Sofia害羞草研究所檚 mother. 害羞草研究所淐laire is so patient in explaining the procedures over and over until Sofia can process it in her own mind. Kids don害羞草研究所檛 get a choice about having these scary procedures, and this really helps them feel more in control.害羞草研究所�
Will you Jean Up for BC害羞草研究所檚 children?
This May, BC Children害羞草研究所檚 Hospital Foundation is on a mission to make jeans a symbol of something bigger 害羞草研究所揾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害羞草研究所檚 annual 害羞草研究所淛eans Day害羞草研究所� fundraiser.
This year, as the vital BC event celebrates 30 years, it was time to do something bigger. This May, you害羞草研究所檙e encouraged to 害羞草研究所淛ean Up害羞草研究所� and join the month-long movement!
As the only children害羞草研究所檚 hospital in the province, tens of thousands of kids count on care they can害羞草研究所檛 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害羞草研究所檝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.
害羞草研究所淲e never expected to be a part of the hospital community when Sofia was born,害羞草研究所� Meehae says. After 11 years and countless hospital stays, we are forever grateful to everyone at BC Children害羞草研究所檚 for working so hard to give her a normal, happy life. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.害羞草研究所�
Jean Up today!
This May, Jean Up to show you care, safely from home.
Businesses can also 害羞草研究所� even while physical distancing and working remotely at home. Set up your company fundraising page and collect donations by sharing your company害羞草研究所檚 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害羞草研究所檚 kids. Don害羞草研究所檛 forget to tag @bcchf and include #JeanUp. And for those on Instagram, search 害羞草研究所淛ean Up害羞草研究所� in the GIF area to add your virtual sticker to your selfie!
