When Beau Finally Feels at Ease in the Hospital
Could It Be?
One morning when four-year-old Beau woke up, his parents knew something wasn’t right - he struggled to sit up, his speech slurred and one side of his face would not move.
Catelyn, Beau’s mom, flashed back to the day he was born – when he suffered a stroke and was later diagnosed with cerebral palsy.
Could this be another stroke? Catelyn wondered.
Catelyn rushed him to the emergency room.
Doctors ruled out another stroke, but Beau stayed in the hospital an extra week while they ran more tests. That’s when they learned he had a rare form of epilepsy that would require brain surgery the following year.
Beau’s Source of Calm
Frequent hospital visits are part of everyday life for Beau and his family. His days often revolve around seeing different medical specialists, including weekly occupational and physical therapy. Kids can feel stressed, anxious and afraid when they come to the hospital.
For Beau, hospital visits make him nervous, especially when he is in the waiting room.
Still, there’s one thing he looks forward to – playing on the Starlight Gaming Station.
When entering the waiting room, he knows exactly what to do. He turns on the Gaming Station, picks his favorite alligator game and presses start.
“He gets so excited,” Catelyn shares. “Beau is more relaxed when he gets a few minutes to play a game or two before his appointment.”
Seeing Beau happy means a lot to Catelyn. Especially when she sees how it changes hospital experience.
- Catelyn, Beau's mom“He is a very happy boy. When he gets to participate in play with others whether in the community or at the hospital, it makes life and appointments so much smoother.”
Help Kids Feel Relaxed and Calm
For kids like Beau, the hospital can feel scary and overwhelming. Still, when kids are able to play and do something they love, the hospital doesn’t feel quite as intimidating.
Emotional support resources like Starlight Gaming Stations can give seriously ill kids a boost of happiness to get through appointments.
By helping kids find relief from anxiety, stress or fear, the hospital becomes an easier place to be.
You can help make sure that hospitals have resources kids need to feel comforted and happy.
Will you help kids like Beau do what they love?
Brighten Your Inbox
Care and comfort for parents, delivered through stories of families whose dark days have turned bright with the help of our Starlight community.