CHILD LIFE:
GIVING FAMILIES A LIFT
 
Visiting the doctor can be stressful for children and parents alike. Erin Antus knows the feeling. In caring for the special needs of her five-year-old son Evan, they’ve seen more than their share of Midwest hospitals and clinics—and it hasn’t always been easy.

“Getting him to the doctor can be a very trying experience,” Erin says. “By the time you get to the doctor’s office, you’re ready to break.”

At times like these, both mother and son need a little extra support. That’s exactly what they find at Duluth Children’s.

As part of its comprehensive pediatric care, Duluth Children’s offers families the free, innovative services of Child Life Specialists during hospital and clinic visits.

“It’s been a godsend,” Erin says. “When Child Life is there, it takes that load off. It makes that one small difference in a child’s life that makes the whole experience better.”

That extra care runs the gamut from helping patients deal with everything from surgery and chemotherapy toimmunizations and blood samples. For Evan, it’s even meant turning to an unlikely setting for doctor’s visits: the elevator.

Elevators have always fascinated Evan, Erin says. So during one recent visit —where Evan was kicking and screaming despite the best efforts of nurses—Dr. Sarah Manney recommended the team pick up and go to a service elevator for the exam.

The Antus Family

“It was an incredible experience. He went from having a fit to laughing and singing—it was completely different,” Erin says.

Seeing this, certified Child Life Specialist JoHannah Bergstrom at Duluth Children’s called the orthopaedics department, where Evan would need to have a special boot placed on his fractured foot.

“They did the same thing: Brought him to the service elevator, which helped tremendously,” Erin says. “We’ve gone to the doctor three times since then, and have gone to the elevator each time. This has been a very special place. I won’t go anywhere else now.”

It’s one example of how Duluth Children’s world-class care can elevate a family’s experience.

“Child Life is open to everybody,” Bergstrom says. “We’re here to prepare and support families during any visit. We also nurture healthy growth and development for patients and families during extended hospital stays.”