210: Connection, Healing, and Love: Insights from Patrice Karst, Author of The Invisible String
Release Date: 03/13/2024
![216: How to talk with Kids about Child Abuse - Jane's Story [Repost] show art](https://assets.libsyn.com/item/30936023?height=50&width=50)
216: How to talk with Kids about Child Abuse - Jane's Story [Repost]
Child Life On Call: Parents of children with an illness or medical condition share their stories with a child life specialist
April is Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month. We have reposted this episode to bring awareness and give you tangible tools to speak with your kids about child abuse. Today’s guest expert is Jane Donovan, who is a child abuse prevention advocate. "And like we say in child life, you have to prepare. So you know what to expect and you know how to cope with what's going to happen next." - Katie Taylor, CLOC In this crucial episode, Katie Taylor is joined by a child abuse prevention advocate, Jane Donovan, to delve into the sensitive and vital topic of child protection within the...
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215: Ruptured Appendix: Emergent Surgery, 6 Days in the Hospital & Struggles to Discharge - Aspen's Story
Child Life On Call: Parents of children with an illness or medical condition share their stories with a child life specialist
"I've learned so much in this whole process. It's like you have a depth inside of you that resurrects as an advocate and high alert, and it lives inside of you when you need it." -Aspen, Willa's Mom In this episode of Child Life On Call, host Katie Taylor and guest Aspen share an intense and educational journey through pediatric appendicitis. Aspen recounts her daughter Willa's sudden illness, misdiagnosis, and the emotional rollercoaster of a ruptured appendix leading to urgent surgery. This story not only highlights the challenges and nuances of navigating pediatric healthcare,...
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214: Sacrifice, Advocacy, Joy: Raising a Son with End Stage Kidney Disease - The Ransome Family's Story
Child Life On Call: Parents of children with an illness or medical condition share their stories with a child life specialist
"Sometimes it's really therapeutic though to remember all that you have gone through because I feel like there are times when we look at each other and I'm like how did we get here?" -Tayler Ransome We're grateful for our sponsor for this episode, Nestle Health Science, and are thrilled to share their incredible website, your go-to online resource for valuable information and support. In this episode, Katie Taylor welcomes the Ransome family, known to many as the , where they share their daily life and the challenges of managing their son Sully's end-stage kidney disease. From their initial...
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213: Parents, CCLS, Students: Show Up Exactly As You Are
Child Life On Call: Parents of children with an illness or medical condition share their stories with a child life specialist
In This Episode: Katie Taylor goes off the beaten path in this special episode to share a profound moment of inspiration that struck her. This episode is a heartfelt message to child life specialists, students, and parents, emphasizing the importance of showing up as you are, without the burden of imposter syndrome. Key Highlights: A Different Kind of Episode: Katie shares her spontaneous thoughts that came from a moment of inspiration, promising that the usual stories from the field and parental perspectives will return in future episodes. Message of Empowerment: The core message is about...
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212: CCLS Story: 18 Years of Supporting Kidney Families -Julie's Story
Child Life On Call: Parents of children with an illness or medical condition share their stories with a child life specialist
"As a child life specialist, watching my tiniest patients grow and accomplish so many things is my favorite part of the job." - Julie, Certified Child Life Specialist Episode Summary: In this heartfelt episode of Child Life On Call, we celebrate Child Life Month by diving deep into the dedicated world of child life specialists and the resilient families they support. Host Katie Taylor talks to Julie, a remarkable child life specialist with 18 years of experience in the renal service at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, Texas. Julie shares her profound journey of supporting children with...
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211: A Son Born with End-Stage Kidney Disease (Part 1): Lyndsey's Story
Child Life On Call: Parents of children with an illness or medical condition share their stories with a child life specialist
"Having a medically complex child, it's like everything's fine. And then, you know, we have a morning where we've thrown up a lot or our blood pressure is too low, and it just doesn't look good. You just never know what you're going to get." - Lyndsey, Episode 211 In this deeply moving episode, we are joined by Lyndsey, who shares the compelling journey of her son James's battle with post-urethral valves before birth, leading to kidney issues and eventually a kidney transplant. Through her narrative, we learn about the rollercoaster of emotions, the challenges of navigating the healthcare...
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210: Connection, Healing, and Love: Insights from Patrice Karst, Author of The Invisible String
Child Life On Call: Parents of children with an illness or medical condition share their stories with a child life specialist
"Love is the most powerful force in the universe, and the invisible string is a testament to the connections that bind us all." - Patrice Karst In this special Child Life Month episode, Katie Taylor sits down with Patrice Karst, the beloved author of "The Invisible String" and several other impactful books. They explore Patrice's journey from personal challenges to becoming a source of comfort and connection for families worldwide. This conversation delves into the power of storytelling in addressing themes of separation, loss, and the enduring strength of love. Patrice shares her inspiration...
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209: Research on Parent Caregivers of Children with Medical Complexities - Elise's Story
Child Life On Call: Parents of children with an illness or medical condition share their stories with a child life specialist
Advocacy, Compassion, Innovation: Elise's Child Life Journey "Working with children with medical complexity and developmental differences isn't just a job; it's rooted in who I am." - Elise Cofer, CCLS In this captivating episode of Child Life On Call, Katie Taylor sits down with Elise, a Nashville-born child life specialist who brings her passion and dedication to the hematology oncology unit at Vanderbilt. Elise's journey into child life, driven by a background deeply embedded in caring for children with special needs, showcases her commitment to enhancing pediatric healthcare. Through her...
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208: Military Life, Pediatric Complex Care Abroad & Resiliency: Kat's Story
Child Life On Call: Parents of children with an illness or medical condition share their stories with a child life specialist
In this profound episode, we join Katie Taylor as she delves into the inspiring journey of a military family navigating pediatric healthcare for their two medically complex children. Through the voice of the remarkable mother, Kat, we explore the unique challenges and triumphs of securing continuous, specialized care amidst the frequent relocations and complexities inherent to military life. Kat shares her experiences with advocacy, the importance of resilience, and the deep bonds forged through their family's journey, offering invaluable insights into the realities faced by military families...
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Healing Without Surgery: Umbilical Hernia Solutions from a Physical Therapist
Child Life On Call: Parents of children with an illness or medical condition share their stories with a child life specialist
What if we could prevent more kids from having to have invasive surgery? During this episode, we are joined by Katie Corrado, who invented a product that works as an alternative to surgery for babies and children. Tune in to hear how her first-hand experience of watching her child struggle with an umbilical hernia led her to an innovative solution that she now offers to other families facing the same challenge. You’ll also learn why Katie is an advocate for proactive rather than reactive medical solutions and how her passion for connecting with kids led her to work as a Physical Therapist...
info_outline"Love is the most powerful force in the universe, and the invisible string is a testament to the connections that bind us all." - Patrice Karst
In this special Child Life Month episode, Katie Taylor sits down with Patrice Karst, the beloved author of "The Invisible String" and several other impactful books. They explore Patrice's journey from personal challenges to becoming a source of comfort and connection for families worldwide. This conversation delves into the power of storytelling in addressing themes of separation, loss, and the enduring strength of love. Patrice shares her inspiration behind "The Invisible String" and its profound impact on both children and adults, emphasizing our universal connectedness and the healing power of love.
"The messages of love and connection I write about are not just for children; they resonate with the inner child in all of us." - Patrice Karst
Key Insights or Lessons Learned:
- The concept of "the invisible string" as a universal metaphor for love and connection that transcends physical presence and even loss.
- The importance of acknowledging and discussing feelings of loneliness and the power of finding one's inner best friend, as explored in "Ruby and Lonely."
- How creativity and storytelling can be therapeutic, providing solace and understanding in times of grief and separation.
- The role of child life specialists in utilizing literature like Patrice's to foster emotional safety and understanding among families facing medical challenges.
"Every letter I receive is a reminder of the profound impact stories can have on healing and connection." - Patrice Karst
Resources and Tips Shared in the Episode:
- "The Invisible String" by Patrice Karst: A must-read for anyone seeking to understand and teach about the bonds of love.
- Other books by Patrice Karst
- Child Life On Call App: Explore this invaluable tool for additional support and resources for navigating pediatric healthcare challenges. Request a Demo.
Whether you're a parent, healthcare professional, or simply interested in learning more about child life, this podcast is for you.
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Meet the host:
Katie Taylor is the co-founder and CEO of Child Life On Call, a digital platform designed to provide parents, kids, and the care team with access to child life services tools and resources. She is a certified child life specialist with over 13 years of experience working in various pediatric healthcare settings. Katie is the author of the children's book, and has presented on the topics of child life and entrepreneurship, psychosocial care in the hospital, and supporting caregivers in the NICU setting both nationally and internationally. She is also the host of the Child Life On Call Podcast which features interviews with parents discussing their experiences throughout their child's medical journey. The podcast emphasizes the crucial role of child life services in enabling caregivers both at and beyond the bedside.