Disney trips, celebrity meetings and other grand adventures usually top the list when 6-year-old boys with cancer are approached by wish-granting organizations. Liam Whitworth, of Doylestown, asked for a baby sister. And she is on the way. Liam has named his baby sister, Zoey, and their story is one that is both beautiful and heartbreaking. […]
Narrative medicine, patient journals support patients on their health care journey
As narrative medicine coordinator, Nicole Robinson witnesses on a daily basis the healing power of listening to the stories of our patients, their families and our hospital staff. “Narrative medicine is the use of literary arts to help patients, families and staff tell and listen to stories,” she said. “For children and families, it may […]
Julien creates his own superheroes to help him stay strong against kidney disease
Fourteen-year-old Julien Ford believes that every child fighting kidney disease is a superhero who deserves their own action figure. Through art therapy at Akron Children’s, he’s created action figures who defeat the autoantibodies that attack the kidneys. An 8th grader at Ontario Middle School, Julien has benefitted from all aspects of Akron Children’s expressive therapy […]
Researchers get a global audience for work on narrative medicine
A team from Akron Children’s recently presented at the 21st Communication, Medicine, and Ethics (COMET) Conference at the University of Cork, in Cork, Ireland. The presentation was on “Integrating Narrative Medicine in a Pediatric Clinical Setting: Understanding the Illness Experience of Children While Improving Health Outcomes.” Akron Children’s has one of the few hospital-based narrative […]
Narrative medicine lets Cerriana share her story
After a year of managing a brain cancer diagnosis, dozens of surgeries and relentless medical treatments, Cerriana (14) of Alliance was hopeful the worst was behind her. When she learned her cancer was back, she didn’t know if she had the strength to do it all again, but she knew she had something to say […]
Nicole Robinson honored by the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine
Nicole Robinson, narrative medicine coordinator, was recently honored with the Humanities Award from the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine for her work advancing the relationship between humanities and palliative care and using the discipline to improve end-of-life care through community and professional education. Nicole works under the auspices of the Haslinger Pediatric Palliative […]
