Sometimes, It Just Takes A Little Imagination and Play

When four-year-old Kaliyah arrived at the hospital, she was quiet and shy. Shy in the way kids get when the world suddenly feels too big and too strange.

Living with severe asthma, Kaliyah was hospitalized and she needed treatment around the clock. Her nebulizer mask was strapped to her face, but she resisted keeping it on, even though it was supposed to help her feel better. When doctors and nurses entered, Kaliyah’s room was silent – she didn’t want to engage with them.

For a four-year-old, that's a lot to take in and feel okay with. Many kids fear nebulizers; it can be difficult to feel stable and at peace.

Seeing Kaliyah’s distress, her child life specialist looked for ways to comfort her and gave her a Play-Doh kitchen creations set and a special hospital gown to help her play.

Just like she would at home, she tinkered away at her Play-Doh creations, using the kit to create her very own pink and white cakes and donuts. Being reminded of her life outside made the hospital feel warmer and more familiar to Kaliyah.

When Kaliyah wore her special Disney Princess-themed Hospital gown, she transformed. She went from being quiet and timid to proudly declaring to all that she was a princess. She showed off her gown to the revolving parade of nurses and doctors who came into her room.

The nebulizer she was resisting? She kept it on because it was her “princess mask” that completed her look.

The Play-Doh kit and hospital gowns that made a difference for Kaliyah were provided by Starlight’s Toy Deliveries and Hospital Gown program, with products generously donated by Hasbro and Disney.

Kaliyah’s story is just one example of how play is an essential part of care. When kids play, it can help them overcome fear of medical treatment. Playful and happy moments helped Kaliyah use her nebulizer that would help her feel better.

When pediatric patients feel better emotionally, it supports a faster recovery. At Starlight, we believe Healing Begins with Happiness™, and that every child deserves to experience happiness from Starlight programs.

Starlight programs all support play and are distributed to over 800 hospitals and medical facilities across the country. They receive programs 100% free of cost thanks to kind-hearted community supporters.

There are seriously ill kids every day who can feel better if they can play.