Sofia is excited to wear her jeans this May. The 11-year-old has spent far too much time in hospital gowns in her young life, undergoing treatment at BC Childrensa国际传媒檚 Hospital for an intestinal abnormality.
This May, shesa国际传媒檚 asking you to join her and for BCsa国际传媒檚 children!
Born with a painful condition where the intestines did not rotate properly during development, Sofia was diagnosed at age 6, when she underwent her first of three surgeries to correct her anatomy. By 2018, Sofia was in and out of BC Childrensa国际传媒檚 every two weeks, including her third surgery to relieve and correct nine intestinal obstructions.
Throughout her experience at BC Childrensa国际传媒檚, Child and Youth Therapeutic Services have played an important role, providing supports through art activities, therapeutic clown visits, pet therapy, and special events at the hospital. The team of Certified Child Life Specialists have followed Sofia throughout her journey, developing a sa国际传媒楥oping Plansa国际传媒� indicating the best ways to calm and comfort Sofia during specific types of procedures, such as letting Sofia watch and doing a count down when inserting an IV.
Certified Child Life Specialist Claire Brown, supports Sofia on her frequent visits. For example, when itsa国际传媒檚 time to remove Sofiasa国际传媒檚 PICC line sa国际传媒� a catheter in her arm used to deliver nutrition when she cansa国际传媒檛 eat on her own sa国际传媒� Claire helps keep Sofia calm by practicing a breathing technique with her.
Claire also shares what to expect in procedures using medical play sa国际传媒� demonstrating the procedure using dolls so Sofia understands what will be happening and is more prepared.
sa国际传媒淪ofia is the type of person who needs to know everything thatsa国际传媒檚 going on, even if it makes her upset,sa国际传媒� says Meehae, Sofiasa国际传媒檚 mother. sa国际传媒淐laire is so patient in explaining the procedures over and over until Sofia can process it in her own mind. Kids donsa国际传媒檛 get a choice about having these scary procedures, and this really helps them feel more in control.sa国际传媒�
Will you Jean Up for BCsa国际传媒檚 children?
This May, BC Childrensa国际传媒檚 Hospital Foundation is on a mission to make jeans a symbol of something bigger sa国际传媒揾elping kids like Sofia get out of their hospital gowns and back into their jeans.
For three decades, workplaces and staff around the province have donned their favourite denims for the Foundationsa国际传媒檚 annual sa国际传媒淛eans Daysa国际传媒� fundraiser.
This year, as the vital BC event celebrates 30 years, it was time to do something bigger. This May, yousa国际传媒檙e encouraged to sa国际传媒淛ean Upsa国际传媒� and join the month-long movement!
As the only childrensa国际传媒檚 hospital in the province, tens of thousands of kids count on care they cansa国际传媒檛 get anywhere else.
Ensuring every child receives the best health care possible is an enormous job, and COVID-19 is making it even more challenging.
So while wesa国际传媒檝e all spent more time in sweatpants than jeans lately, by Jeaning Up this May, you can make a difference to health care providers and kids across BC.
sa国际传媒淲e never expected to be a part of the hospital community when Sofia was born,sa国际传媒� Meehae says. After 11 years and countless hospital stays, we are forever grateful to everyone at BC Childrensa国际传媒檚 for working so hard to give her a normal, happy life. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.sa国际传媒�
Jean Up today!
This May, Jean Up to show you care, safely from home.
Businesses can also sa国际传媒� even while physical distancing and working remotely at home. Set up your company fundraising page and collect donations by sharing your companysa国际传媒檚 donation link.
To get involved, donate online at , and then pick a day, week or even the entire month of May to wear your favourite denim. Better yet? Snap and post a selfie in your jeans on social media to show your support of BCsa国际传媒檚 kids. Donsa国际传媒檛 forget to tag @bcchf and include #JeanUp. And for those on Instagram, search sa国际传媒淛ean Upsa国际传媒� in the GIF area to add your virtual sticker to your selfie!
