Children can be, and often are, a forgotten population at times of serious illness or death
in the family.
The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute has committed itself for the past 14 years to helping children who are in crisis due to the serious illness or death of a loved one. Our comprehensive programs support children, ages 2 through 19, from the point of diagnosis of the serious illness of a loved one through three years post death, should that occur. The research literature on grieving children supports the notion that if children are not able to grieve, they can have life-long problems with bonding in intimate relationships, increased risk of alcohol and drug addiction, life-long depression, failures in education and careers, as well as physical complications induced by having to keep emotions and fears to themselves.
We pride ourselves in listening to the children and designing programs around what they tell us that they need. That is why we allow children and their families to participate in our programs as often as they feel they need to. We now have 6 six-week programs a year and most families elect to come to several consecutive programs.
Children can handle serious illness and/or death best when they are included in the process.
They are amazing and resilient human beings, and we need to respect their thoughts and ideas and include them in the information loop.
Pauline King, RN, Director, Healing Journey for Children
For more information or to register, send us an
e-mail with your name, phone number and address or call us at (614) 293-4138.
Survivorship
