The child is encouraged to decorate the doll and name it, and in cases when a child is unable to convey a fear about surgery directly, the specialist can ask the child to talk about what the doll is afraid of. Child life services may include daily activities such as games, videos and story time. Activities for teens might include writing poems or putting out a newspaper about the hospital experience. Wilson says that activities can be tailored even for children who are immobilized or unable to sit up. Ericka experienced a loss of movement on her left side after the surgery.
Therapy starts the day after surgery.
Ericka was very busy. We sat around this table and made little bottles filled with colored sand. One day Ericka had a mood swing. When the doctors came in, she told them off in no uncertain terms. But then they turned around and came in to do it.