CHILDHOOD FOR ALL
Every child deserves to experience a childhood full of joy and adventure. Unfortunately, living in a hospital makes it difficult to experience all things kids typically experience.
WHAT IS LIFE LIKE FOR HOSPITALIZED CHILDREN?
According to Professor Justin Kenardy Maps, professor of psychology, University of Queensland Deputy Director, Recover Injury Research Centre "research shows about 10 to 15 per cent of children who are admitted to hospital after sustaining an injury develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), while for those admitted to areas such as the intensive care unit (ICU), the rate of psychological disorder in children is much higher – in the order of 20-25 per cent.
It’s not difficult to understand why children are susceptible to experiencing psychological problems in the wake of a traumatic event and hospitalisation. An injured child in ICU (intensive care unit) can be disorientated and confused about their hospital admission or may not comprehend their medical procedures, either due to their age, their medical condition or as a result of their medication."
Children should be in school, playing with friends, making trouble at home, etc., but hospitalization changes all of that. That is why it is so important to us to support research and organizations that prevent hospitalization or aid in making hospitalization as comfortable as possible for the children and their families.
https://psychlopaedia.org/health/kids-can-be-traumatised-by-hospital-stays-research-shows/
St. jude Children's Research Hospital was founded by entertainer Danny Thomas as a shrine for St. Jude, the patron saint of hopeless causes. St. Jude's mission is to "advance cures, and means of prevention for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment." All children are welcome at St. Jude. In order to provide such love and support, families with children at St. Jude "never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food.".
​
Support St. Jude today.
A BRIGHTER WINTER WONDERLAND
To the left is 1 Step working on holiday cards to send to hospitalized children. 1 Step worked after school and during lunch periods with other members of our student body to design beautiful and heartfelt cards. Those who were hesitant to make cards at first due to their artistic ability gave in after a few words of encouragement and wrote beautiful heartfelt messages. All it takes is a writing utensil, paper, and a few words to uplift a child. Every child deserves the perfect winter wonderland, and what are the winter months without any holiday spirit.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
To help hospitalized children you can donate to or volunteer at the organizations we have in the slideshow above. Certain organizations have big events, like how St. Jude has annual walks across the United States. 1 Step has a team for St.Jude's New York City walk. Join us! Go to 1 Step's fundraising site by clicking 'Join Our Walk' to the right to donate to St. Jude on behalf of us and/or join us when we walk as a team in the New York City walk/run. If you cannot come to the New York City run, you can make a team for a run near you at stjude.org. To write letters to hospitalized children click the button on the right that says 'Send Letters' .