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