Episode 46 | Pediatric Pain with the Meg Foundation
Release Date: 09/30/2020
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The NICU Dad Experience: A father’s view from the NICU [REPOST] (257)-Alex’s Story
Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support
What happens when your world changes with a single phone call? In this powerful reposted episode, NICU dad and advocate Alex Zavala shares his emotional journey of fatherhood after his daughter was born at just 27 weeks. From the emergency C-section and NICU stay to the emotional toll of the "NICU dad shuffle," Alex opens up about the lesser-heard experience of dads navigating medical trauma, guilt, and resilience. As the host of the NICU Dad Podcast, Alex continues to amplify the voices of fathers facing similar experiences. This conversation is an essential listen for NICU families and...
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Helping Kids Swallow Pills:Tips and tricks for Parents from a Child Life Specialist (256)-Adina's Story
Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support
Learning to swallow pills can be a major milestone—and a big challenge—for many kids. In this episode, certified child life specialist Adina Levitan joins host Katie Taylor to break down the myths, fears, and best practices behind teaching children how to confidently swallow pills. From her clinical expertise to creative solutions like affirmations, games, and candy "pill" practice, Adina walks us through her unique approach to supporting kids and parents through this skill-building process. Whether you're a caregiver, clinician, or a parent trying to help your child at home, this episode...
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A Microtia Atresia Diagnosis: Hearing Aids, Surgery and a Journey of Hope [REPOST] - Kim's Story(255)
Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support
“You make the best decision for yourself and your family—and you stick with it.”- Kim Pena What happens when you’re handed unexpected news at your child’s birth—and there’s no clear roadmap ahead? In this reposted episode, educator and mom Kim Pena shares her powerful journey as the parent of a child born with Microtia Atresia, a rare congenital condition affecting the ear. Kim was one of Katie’s very first guests on the Child Life On Call podcast, and her story is still a listener favorite to this day. In this repost, Katie kicks off the episode by giving us a quick...
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Blended Tube Feeding for G-tube fed Kids & Adults: How a dietician empowers families through food - Hilarie’s Story (254)
Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support
What if blending real food could transform your child’s tube feeding experience—and your entire family’s daily routine? In this inspiring episode, registered dietitian and new mom Hilarie shares how her career in pediatric nutrition led her to create , a platform and supportive community designed to help families explore real food options for children with feeding tubes. Hilarie and Katie have an insightful conversation about doing what works best for your family and how it is not an all-or-nothing approach when it comes to tube feeding. From clinical frustrations to practical...
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Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support
📢 This is a special repost of one of our most heartfelt and insightful episodes. Whether this is your first time hearing Jessica’s story or a revisit, her perspective as a mom of a child with Prader-Willi Syndrome will stick with you. This month is also Prader- Willi Syndrome awareness month. What happens when a diagnosis changes everything you expected about motherhood? For Jessica Patay, it sparked a journey through fear, resilience, advocacy, and ultimately, the founding of an incredible nonprofit called We Are Brave Together. In this deeply moving episode, Jessica opens up about:...
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Two Sisters with Cystic Fibrosis - Laura's Story (252)
Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support
What would you do if both of your children were diagnosed with a life-threatening genetic disease—and there was no support system in place for parents like you? In this inspiring episode, Katie interviews Laura Bonnell, a former Detroit news reporter turned full-time advocate and nonprofit founder. After both of her daughters were diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF), Laura transformed her grief and determination into the Bonnell Foundation, providing real-time support to families across the U.S. who are navigating life with CF. In this powerful episode, we explore: ✅ How Laura pushed for...
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Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support
📢 This is a special repost of one of our most impactful and heartfelt episodes. Whether you’re hearing Ashley O’Neill’s story for the first time or revisiting it, her journey continues to resonate deeply with NICU families, pediatric providers, and anyone who has faced unimaginable loss and found strength in the aftermath. What happens when your personal and professional worlds collide in the NICU? For family nurse practitioner Ashley O’Neill, the journey into motherhood brought profound loss, relentless medical advocacy, and ultimately, a passion for helping others. Ashley’s...
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A Rare Diagnosis Journey: Collagenous Gastritis and IGG deficiency (250)- Alexis' Story
Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support
What if every milestone your child was supposed to reach came with countless curve balls? For Alexis Kaplan, motherhood quickly turned into a journey of advocacy, strength, and unwavering love as she navigated her daughter Gabby’s complex and rare health conditions. In this moving episode, Alexis shares: ✅ The moment her newborn was rushed to the NICU with a collapsed lung ✅ How her daughter’s recurring infections led to a diagnosis of immunodeficiency and collagenous gastritis ✅ The emotional toll—and strength—of being the medical historian and advocate for a...
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How to Talk With Children About Child Abuse [REPOST] (249)- Jane's Story
Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support
Knowing how to talk to kids about child abuse can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be. In this impactful episode of Child Life On Call, host Katie Taylor interviews child abuse prevention advocate Jane Donovan—who also happens to be her mom. Jane shares her personal journey, sparked by a tragic event, that led to a decades-long mission to protect children and educate communities. From creating a long-running puppet program for abuse prevention to empowering kids with body safety tools, this conversation is full of actionable advice for parents, caregivers, educators, and child...
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Child Life On Call | Medical, Parenting, Healthcare, Grief, Trauma, Pediatrics, Coping Skills, Community & Support
"We followed Dahlia’s lead—and Dahlia was not going to let this stop her.” — Jessica Fein What happens when your child’s diagnosis is so rare that no one—including your doctors—knows how to help? For Jessica Fein, navigating life with her daughter Dahlia’s MERRF Syndrome meant redefining motherhood, finding joy in unexpected places, and transforming grief into connection and advocacy. In this honest and deeply moving episode, we explore: ✅ What it’s like to go on a diagnostic odyssey, and finally get answers that bring more questions ✅ The complexity of parenting a child...
info_outlineKatie, Certified Child Life Specialist, talks with Jamie Gentille, Director of Child Life Services at Inova Children's Hospital and Dr. Jody Thomas, from the Meg Foundation for Pain, in this episode.
Dr. Jody Thomas is a licensed clinical psychologist, and specialist in pediatric medical illness and trauma and the founder of the Meg Foundation for Pain. She discusses the mission of their organization which addresses pain in children head-on. Listeners today will walk away with a better understanding about why children shouldn't be in pain if there are ways to reduce it as well as tangible tools the foundation is working on to support parents and children.
Jamie adds her own perspective as someone who has spent her life in the medical world, personally and professionally. Jamie's stories show the reality of how the trauma of pain in childhood has effected her to this day.