Laurel’s path to a career in Child Life began during her childhood. At just 3 years old, she experienced the passing of her younger brother due to SIDS, setting the foundation for her comprehension of grief.
“I think that experience planted an empathy seed within me,” says Laurel. “It’s really special how I am able to use my experiences to support families here at Nemours Children’s. I’m able to understand grief within a family dynamic, including the sibling perspective, and share my insights, along with my training, into its effects on daily life and a family’s ability to cope.”
In fifth grade, Laurel encountered child life firsthand during a hospitalization for a urethral reimplantation. From preparation for surgery to post-operative support, she found peace in the playroom activities and therapeutic interventions facilitated by her Certified Child Life Specialists. It was during these years that she discovered the importance of psychosocial support during medical crises.
Despite grappling with chronic illness throughout her youth, Laurel’s encounter with child life lingered in her memory. It wasn’t until college, when a friend introduced her to the concept of child life as a profession, that Laurel experienced an “aha” moment. Recognizing the impact child life had on her own healing journey, Laurel realized it was her calling to become a child life specialist.
After completing her undergraduate degree in psychology with a concentration in Human Services, Laurel pursued further education and training in child life, eventually joining the team at Nemours Children’s Health. Her journey from patient to professional has equipped her with a unique perspective and deep empathy for the children and families she serves. “It feels like such a gift to be able to take my story and take what I’ve been through and pour into others, into our patients and our families,” says Laurel.
In her role at Nemours, Laurel specializes in providing support to patients in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU). Her typical workday is dynamic, ranging from assessing patients’ psychosocial needs to providing therapeutic interventions tailored to each child’s unique circumstances. Child life specialists contribute a vital component of care to patients and families. Another significant aspect of their role involves advocating for patients and families, representing their needs within the healthcare setting.
“There is something uniquely special about what we do that no other career does,” says Laurel. “We’re focused on the emotional and mental well-being of these kids. In the multidisciplinary teamwork of pediatric care, we provide that special piece that only we can give.” Laurel cherishes the moments where she can witness the resilience of her young patients and help alleviate their fears and anxieties during challenging medical experiences.
Laurel also incorporates various innovative technologies to enhance the child life experience for patients at Nemours. She uses virtual reality (VR) for older patients seeking escapism and finds guided imagery particularly effective in redirecting patients’ focus away from their pain. Additionally, she often uses medical dolls, which feature different medical adaptations to help children understand procedures and medical conditions. Laurel is currently developing cardiac-specific dolls to provide families with tangible education about their child’s upcoming procedures. Alongside digital preparation books and specialized equipment like a mini-MRI machine, Laurel and her team continually explore innovative ways to support pediatric patients and their families.
“There is so much intention and purpose behind every single thing that we do with our patients and our families,” says Laurel. “I think we are the unsung heroes of Nemours. There’s a certain magic that happens behind the scenes that I don’t think is common knowledge. I’m hoping that this Child Life Month brings awareness to what we do.”
Looking ahead, Laurel envisions continued growth and expansion of Child Life services at Nemours. She hopes to see extended support to outpatient clinics and desires to continue to grow the academic program for future Certified Child Life Specialists as a part of Nemours’ child life student committees. Her journey is a testament to the transformative power of compassion and the enduring impact of child life in pediatric healthcare. For Laurel, child life is not just a profession; it’s a calling—a calling to advocate for the well-being of children and families during their most vulnerable moments. As she continues her journey alongside the Nemours team, she remains committed to championing the importance of child life in pediatric healthcare.
