Life
You Don’t Have To Be Big To Be Strong #FloatingHospital #Toughlings #IC #ad
This post was sponsored by Floating Hospital for Children as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central.
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My husband and I have adopted three children and he already had two children. The five children (three now grown) have always been the light of our lives. Everything we do is for them or about them. But four of the children have always had significant struggles. Medical professionals are a major resource in our lives and hospitalizations are far too frequent.
However, I am eternally grateful for all the medical professionals who have worked tirelessly for our children. One of our children had been sick for almost a year, in and out of hospitals – and no one could figure out what was wrong. Finally, one of the hospital visits resulted in the most reassuring sentence ever for a parent – “Don’t worry, we will not rest until we figure this out”! And they didn’t. Within three days in the hospital, his most recent diagnosis was determined… Another few days to get treatment under control and manageable and he was on his way. He has had some setbacks over the last three years but at least everyone knows what they are dealing with now. Pure dedication on the part of the medical professionals.
As I do this post – one of my children is in the hospital again – for the fifth time within a year. His special needs break my heart. He is the sweetest boy ever and he just goes with the flow for his hospitalizations. His view of life is quite simplistic and he is happy happy happy. We know he is getting all the care he deserves – but it is very difficult not having him at home. I am praying that this time is only for a couple weeks.
And those are not the only two children in and out of hospitals – I wouldn’t say it is a way of life… But after 25 years of this, it really has become just that. Hospital staff becomes a second family. We learn our way around the hospitals almost as well as the custodial staff. We learn where we can take a break near the hospitals. We learn what our children’s needs and wants are at that moment – because they are very different than their needs and wants when they are home.
And… when they are not in the hospital, they are always under someone’s care.
These are all reasons why the Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center is so critical. Their work is precious and priceless. They are special and they work hard to be the best.
This Floating Hospital for Children is committed to creating a child-friendly environment to help kids feel strong when they might be scared. To do this, they offer children courage in the following forms of entertainment while a child is at a clinic visit or admitted to the hospital.
The Toughlings – a group of animals who are small but mighty, just like Floating Hospital kids. They remind patients that they’re big and strong. They can be found in the elevator banks throughout the hospital and stickers are available for patients in clinics. Their names are Buff – a badger, Elbo – an octopus, Mica – an ant, Cozi – a turtle, and Sage – an owl
Mini-horse visits to the inpatient floors monthly
Pet therapy dogs
My daughter is most at home with horses and dogs. They can turn her mood or pain around immediately. Nothing makes her feel as good as the animals who love her.
The Floating Hospital was initiated in 1948 to help patients and their families cope with the stress of illness, injury, disability, and hospitalization through a range of services including tutoring, overnight privileges for parents, support groups, and play. Play is such a huge focus and plays such a crucial role in a child’s healing process. It is a vital component of children’s lives, and is the major way that children communicate, learn, rehearse, relax, and have fun. Through play, children gain a sense of master and control, leading to an increased ability to cope with stress, and to express their feelings. Floating Hospital pioneered the concept of integrating play into the daily routine, and it is an important part of the care Child Life provides.
Floating Hospital for Children communicates the strength, courage and determination of the patients that inspire us every day.
Check out this powerful video – You Don’t Have To Be Big To Be Strong. This is a hard video to watch while you actually have a child in the hospital – but it is a powerful message.
Floating Hospital for Children is dedicated to children being seen quickly, no matter what time of day. To achieve this, they offer the following advantages –
Pediatric Emergency Department – Floating Hospital for Children’s dedicated pediatric ED is operational around the clock – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A child-centered environment with a play area waiting room and five dedicated rooms that are soothing, healing and suited for a child. It’s staffed with a pediatric emergency nurse and a pediatric technician. Child Life specialists’ (hours are 10 am–2 am) provide support to a child and his/her family.
InQuicker – If a child has a non-life-threatening emergency, Floating Hospital for Children offers a new tool called InQuicker that allows parents to check-in for an estimated treatment time so that patients and their families can wait at home instead of in a Boston ER waiting room.
Because of Floating Hospital for Children’s community hospital affiliates, you and your child can experience their unique approach to care, conveniently close to home.
We are so fortunate to live within a decent distance to this Floating Hospital for Children. I never have to worry about them receiving care that is perfect for them.
Through Floating Hospital for Children’s network of pediatric affiliations, children with less-complex conditions can remain in the community under the expert care of our on-site pediatric hospitalists, specialized physicians who only care for children in an in-patient hospital setting. If more advanced care is required at Floating Hospital for Children, patient transfer and care management are quickly and seamlessly coordinated.
My children have proven over and over again – You Don’t Have To Be Big To Be Strong. I admire each and every one of them and want nothing but the best for them and all the happiness ever.
Connect with Floating Hospital for Children / Facebook
Floating Hospital sounds like such a help when caring for your children. Stay strong.
I hadn’t heard of Floating Hospital. It’s great that you have access to such assistance and so close.
Ive never heard of a floating hospital but it’s sound absolutely fantastic and think we could do with something like that round here! I wish you all, all the best for the future and I hope and pray that one day all your children will be as illness free as they can be. Stay strong, you are doing an amazing job!xx
Ive never heard of a floating hospital but it’s sound absolutely fantastic and think we could do with something like that round here! I wish you all, all the best for the future and I hope and pray that one day all your children will be as illness free as they can be. Stay strong, you are doing an amazing job!xx
The floating hospital sounds amazing. Glad it’s helping so many kids.
I know what it’s like to be perma-sick. It’s horrible, and that word doesn’t even begin to describe it. The medical professionals I’ve met over the years have helped me so much to be the functioning adult I am today and I could never repay them to the extent that I want.
Having to deal with illness is very stressful. Resources like these make a difference in that stress.
Kudos to floating hospital for their efforts and amazing programs. It sounds like they really make ya’ll feel at home.
Congrats on finding the right hospital for your kid, you gotta thank god always!
This is the first time I’ve heard of the floating hospital and I think it’s brilliant. I hope your family gets through this new challenge you’re facing and I hope your child comes home from the hospital soon.
its the first time I heard of Floating Hospital . I’m happy that you found the right hospital for your kids 🙂
This is great! Floating hospitals could truly help a lot of kids around. Great that you posted this up!
Never heard Floating Hospital before. Good to know it. Thanks!
This is thew first time I heard Floating Hospital. Glad you shared it.
Floating hospital was really sound amazing. Thanks for sharing
Floating hospital sounds great for children! It is hard to find dedicated doctora willing to help you
What a wonderful service and a testimony you can share! You have your hands full but sounds like you are also abundantly blessed!
This sounds awesome for kids to use. BTW, that is the biggest dog I have ever seen.
It warms my heart to know that there are programs such as The Floating Hosptial for families with sick little ones. It can be so hard when the kids are sick. I remember when my son was just 9 months he got really sick and we were in the hospital for a week. I can’t imagine how difficult it must be for parents with kids in and out of the hospital.
I’ve never heard of Floating Hospital but it sounds like a great service option. Thanks for sharing.
I can totally relate! My son may only be 2, but he is already such strong soul!
Aww I’m sorry your children are in and out of the hospital so much but this sounds like such an amazing resource!
such a nice hospital for encouraging kids to confident and strong! all the best
It’s true. You don’t need to be big to be a toughie and you don’t need to be a hero to be super.
This is awesome! First time to hear about this. That’s very true there’s no big or small when it comes to being a tough person. Thanks for sharing!