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Little Hands Reach For Crayons, and Lives Are TouchedDespite battling some of the most serious of childhood diseases, the children at the Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA are in high spirits as they take to the crayons to draw holiday images. Christmas trees, stars, menorahs, snowmen and more come to life in the Child Life playroom. A handful will be chosen to be made into holiday cards, sales of which will directly benefit the lives of other children in the program. “Child Life exists to support children in coping with their hospitalization using creative arts to normalize the hospital environment and make it a less scary place,” says Amy Bullock, director, Chase Child Life Program, Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA. The various age-oriented playrooms enable children to be children as their parents and Child Life specialists engage them in the activities they enjoy. Every year the children put their talents and childhood visions to paper and every year many of these designs are used to create greeting cards to support Chase Child Life Program. The art represents a variety of developmental ranges, abilities, and ages. “It’s fun,” says Hilary Gan, Child Life Specialist. “They get to see their artwork come to life in a new format–all boxed up as cards.” The holiday cards are available for purchase online at www.uclahealth.org/holidaycards. The proceeds go toward making the hospital feel more like a home. “It couldn’t go to a better cause because it goes right back to the children,” adds Amy. Learn more about Chase Child Life Program. Click here for more patient stories Visit us on FACEBOOK to share your story.
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