• Abstract and Figures
• Public Full-text

2012 ANNUAL REPORT A Year of Stories Innovative, life-changing programs Ground-breaking research A letter from our President Passionate caregivers Dear Friends, Stories that touch your heart As we approach the 65th anniversary of the founding of the Children of Bellevue, it seems timely to reflect upon what has Every donation you make to Children of Bellevue becomes part of been achieved to fulfill our mission of advocating for some of a true story. A story of hope, a story of healing, a story of lives forever New York’s most disadvantaged children. None of it would changed. We are happy to share just a few of these stories with you. be possible without the extraordinary generosity of our Every story is different but shares one thing in common: you are a donors. Through your participation, you have become part of a part of them all. community comprised of caring medical professionals, an involved board of directors and the unwaveringly supportive Bellevue Hospital Center administration. Our community is passionate, committed, talented and broad. Although 2012 was a year of challenges, most significantly the damage wreaked by Hurricane Sandy, it was also defined by our continued innovative programs that impact children’s lives not just while they visit Bellevue, but for many years to come. This annual report describes some of the children who have benefited from these programs and highlights the hard work and dedication of our gifted staff and dedicated volunteers. We extend our heartfelt thanks for your support during 2012. Because Children Need More Than Medicine to Thrive Sincerely, childrenofbellevue.org Marc Bothwell President Board of Directors Scan this QR code with your smart device to watch a 6-minute video about Children of Bellevue. (Or search YouTube for ChildrenofBellevue v5) 2012 Annual Report 1 First there was a washing machine . Innovative, Life-Changing Programs Susana worked her magic, just talking to Marcus and Child Life and Development distracting him during the procedure. Afterwards, is a discipline that American Academy of Pediatrics Marcus was incredulous and proud that he took Children of Bellevue, Inc. got its start in the late 1940’s calls an essential component of pediatric care. the needle with no tears. There were high-fives all with a washing machine and a group of formidable around. Marcus’s father was impressed, too. As Mar- women who found conditions for children in the hospital In the early 1970s, Children of Bellevue established cus rode down the elevator with another Child Life to be appalling. the Child Life Department at Bellevue Hospital – the Specialist, he said, “You know that lady who helped second such program in the country. me get my shot? Tell her I said ‘thank you.’” In the absence of antibiotics, and with a desire to prevent contagion, children were separated from their Child life specialists provide emotional support for fam- families for months at a time and housed in large, dark, ilies and encourage optimum development of children Child Life Specialist, Ruth C. overcrowded wards. The hospital laundry was too big to and adolescents facing a broad range of challenging was paged to the Dental Clinic, on a day when keep track of personal belongings, so the children wore experiences, particularly those related to health care Child Life staff was not scheduled, to find 6-year- institutional adult sized gowns labeled with a large letter and hospitalization. old Jason curled in a ball and crying hysterically. “B” instead of their own pajamas. Her usual bag of tricks – bubbles, toys, etc. – failed to soothe the boy and the dentist suggested he come Enter the washing machine. back another day for sedation, a procedure that would require a separate pre-hospitalization visit. But Ruth Volunteers purchased a washing machine for the hospital advocated for a regular visit on a day when a Child Life and laundered the children’s pajamas, enabling them to Specialist could work with Jason before the dental pro- wear something familiar and comforting. This small act cedure, not when it was already too late. They agreed of kindness was soon followed by “the play ladies” and and the day of Jason’s next visit he “played dentist” arts and crafts. The women even raised money to build a with the Child Life specialist first. Jason successfully playground on the hospital grounds so that children who allowed the dentist to treat three cavities and his moth- were well enough could go outside for some fresh air and er was thrilled that her child did not have to undergo sunshine. sedation. Now all of Jason’s dental appointments are scheduled when the Child Life team is there. We’ve come a long way since then. Playing ‘doctor’ before a surgical procedure or a routine visit to the pediatrican allays fears and empowers a child. Today, Children of Bellevue, Inc. is a professionally staffed 501 (c)-3 non-profit organization with a Board of Directors and staff just as dedicated to advocating for the children and Child Life Specialist, their families as those first few volunteers. Our programs provide the specialty care and services that most of our Susana D. noticed 7-year-old patient population could not otherwise afford. Marcus sulking in the Clinic Playroom at Bellevue. “You were so happy a little while ago,” she said. “What happened?” His little sister informed Susana that Marcus was going to get a shot. Susana told Marcus that she, too, did not like needles and promised the boy that when it was time to go in to see the doctor, she would go with him. Marcus’s father was skeptical – he’d Child Life Specialists help children understand what to expect always had to hold Marcus down for a shot, but before a dental visit. 2 Children of Bellevue 2012 Annual Report 3 Innovative, Life-Changing Programs Innovative, Life-Changing Programs Reach Out and Read takes a three step approach that instills The Frances L. Loeb Center for Child Protection and Development a love of learning at an early age. In the outpatient clinic we like to say that ‘waiting read to them, too. It doesn’t just have to be Mommy.” Wouldn’t it be nice if we could wipe out child abuse the way we’ve been able to eradicate small pox and time is not wasted time’. The TV screens are off, but Celia explained, “No, I never learned how to read or other scourges that used to plague the world? Unfortunately there is no vaccine for the maltreatment of children are on the big blue mats listening to trained write.” The nurse connected Celia with the director of children and adolescents. volunteers reading aloud. Children of Bellevue’s Reach Out and Read program who in turn, helped her enroll in an adult literacy class. For more than 30 years, the Frances L. Loeb Center for Child Protection and Development at Bellevue At the same time, Parent Educators interact with One month later Celia excitedly reported, “Look, I can Hospital Center has been providing comprehensive medical and psychosocial intervention to child victims parents to discuss the importance of reading aloud to write my name. Now I don’t have to sign with an X!” of abuse and neglect. their children at home. Now in the afternoons she sits down with her grand- children to do homework and eagerly anticipates the Here are just two of their stories. Finally, during the primary care visit, the physician – day she can read them a book. regarded as the ultimate authority by much of our patient population – gives each child between the When emergency At 16, Sara ages of six months and five years old a brand new book to take home and read. Many of our families report room doctors could was physically and that without this gift, they would own no books at all! find no physical cause for sexually assaulted Instead, they start Kindergarten with a library of at least 8-year-old Amanda’s chronic during a raid on her ten books. abdominal pain, they sug- African village that gested an evaluation in the left her entire family Loeb Center. Her mother re- dead. An interna- ported that Amanda suffered tional rescue program relocated her with a fam- separation anxiety, cried in ily in Brooklyn. Sara came to the Loeb Center for school daily, and often visited ongoing medical and psychological treatment for the school nurse. She also revealed that she her- post traumatic stress disorder and related symp- Trained volunteers read aloud to children in the clinic waiting room at Bellevue Hospital Center. self was a victim of domestic violence and was con- toms. Today, she is a 22 year-old college graduate cerned for her children. Law enforcement authori- working on her Master’s Degree in Social Work in A scene from the Clinic Playroom: ties were contacted and Amanda and her mother Boston. She drops into the Loeb Center on a regu- Little Alexandra plays with a doll and talks to a Child Life began counseling in the center. They found the lar basis when she is visiting New York to see ‘her Specialist. “You are going to be the mommy and I’m strength and resources they needed to separate friends’. We are always happy to see how well she going to be the doctor.” She pretends to examine the from the abusive father. Amanda’s stomachaches is doing! baby. “Your baby is fine. Let me give her a shot and went away and her grades improved in school. then you can go home.” She finishes the exam and Now she is able to separate from her mother with- hands the baby back to the Mommy, who proceeds to out distress and has become an avid soccer player.

Load more

  9

Copy Link