When Sophie Lowe was diagnosed with leukemia at three-and-a-half years old, she needed uncomfortable procedures like spinal taps and bone marrow aspirates.

"As a Mom, to see my innocent little girl, who had no idea why this was happening, was agony," remembers her mother, Jennifer. "For the first spinal tap, I felt completely helpless. I cried my eyes out."

Luckily, Sophie and her parents could turn to Child Life, a therapy program that provides services to all young patients at University of Iowa Children's Hospital.

The Child Life Program softens the hospital experience for children by offering developmental play experiences. Sometimes that simply means having a chance to play. Sometimes it means one-on-one sessions that focus on helping children understand illness, even medical play that familiarizes them with upcoming procedures.

Staff members are assigned to specific hospital units. Child Life staffer Emily Mozena, MA, CCLS, CTRS, stayed with Sophie when she had her first spinal tap. There were toys on the bed and Emily read books with surprises behind the flaps.

Though Sophie remained calm, Jennifer cried. "My tears were originally meant for empathy, which turned to joy seeing how Child Life helped her."

Child Life changed the entire dynamic for Sophie's family. "I cannot imagine traveling this path without Child Life's assistance," Jennifer says. "I could not have been the Mom I am today without the support and kindness of Child Life."

For more information about the Child Life program, visit www.uihealthcare.com/childlife or call 319-356-4469.

Child Life Cares
Sick kids like Sophie Lowe can have fun, even in the hospital.