Hebron Mom adn Son Deliver Joyful Gowns to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital
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- Hebron Mom adn Son Deliver Joyful Gowns to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital
In a heartwarming act of kindness, Brandi Hamilton, a mother from Hebron, and her son, Nash, delivered the first of several shipments of specially designed gowns to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in February. these weren’t just ordinary hospital gowns; they were vibrant, soft, and created to bring a sense of normalcy and joy to young patients facing medical procedures. Nash’s personal experience battling cancer, during which he wore a similar gown, served as the inspiration for this compassionate initiative.
The project gained meaningful traction when Katie Resch, a surgical nurse at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, observed that some young patients were experiencing heightened anxiety before undergoing surgery. Recalling the positive impact the gowns had on Nash, Resch reached out to Hamilton to inquire about providing similar gowns for her patients. The results were immediate and deeply impactful.
“They went from being anxious to excited because they got to make a choice in part of their day,”
Resch said.“They would light up and then it would be an open gate to a conversation.”Katie Resch, Surgical Nurse at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
These gowns, sourced from Brave gowns, a California-based company, are meticulously designed with children’s needs in mind. They feature playful designs and secure plastic snaps, making them suitable for a variety of medical procedures, including MRIs, without requiring the child to disrobe. In 2024, Hamilton shared her mission of providing more gowns to Cincinnati Children’s with WCPO 9 News, and the community responded with overwhelming generosity.
Community Support Exceeds Expectations
Hamilton initially aimed to secure 200 donated gowns. However, the community’s response far surpassed her initial expectations. Following the airing of her story, donations poured in, ultimately reaching a remarkable total of 1,273 gowns.
“We’re really grateful to the community and thankful that everybody really stepped up and helped us,”
Hamilton said.“I mean we kept setting higher and higher goals and we exceeded every time, so it was kind of shocking how this touched peopel’s hearts.”Brandi Hamilton, Hebron Resident
Each gown is proudly made in the U.S. and costs $25. The diverse range of designs, from firefighters to dancers, allows children to express their individuality and find comfort in their personal choice. The plastic snaps are a critical feature, ensuring the gowns are compatible with medical equipment and procedures, enhancing both safety and convenience.
Impact on Young Patients
Thanks to the remarkable generosity of donors,every child undergoing surgery at cincinnati Children’s hospital now has the prospect to select their own Brave Gown. The impact on these young patients is undeniably profound.
One young girl, awaiting surgery and wearing a Brave Gown adorned with neon stars and rainbows, expressed, “It feels like I’m special.”
This simple statement perfectly captures the transformative effect these gowns have on children navigating challenging medical experiences, offering a sense of empowerment and joy during a challenging time.
Looking Ahead: A New Goal
Hamilton, Nash, and Resch are not content to rest on their accomplishments. They have set a new, ambitious goal: to provide enough gowns so that every child at Cincinnati Children’s hospital, not just those in the surgical center, can wear one during their stay, extending the positive impact to even more young patients.
“We would love for Cincinnati Children’s Hospital to make brave gowns standard issue,”
Hamilton said.Brandi Hamilton, Hebron Resident
Hospital officials believe this goal is within reach. Stephanie Burwinkle, the hospital’s clinical manager, estimates that approximately 6,000 gowns would be needed to achieve this inspiring vision, ensuring every child can experience the comfort and joy these gowns provide.
“We’re all passionate about making things better for our kids and so being able to find those connections and make that happen makes a big difference for our kids,”
said Stephanie Burwinkle.Stephanie Burwinkle, Clinical Manager at Cincinnati Children’s hospital
How to Help
For those interested in supporting this worthy cause and helping to bring comfort and joy to young patients, donations can be made through a dedicated link that ensures contributions directly benefit Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Every gown donated makes a tangible difference in a child’s hospital experience, providing a much-needed sense of normalcy and empowerment.
To donate,please use this link.
the Healing Power of Play: How Brave Gowns Transform Pediatric Hospital Stays
Did you know that a simple gown can substantially reduce a child’s anxiety before a medical procedure? This isn’t just anecdotal; the impact is profound and measurable, as evidenced by the heartwarming story of Brandi and Nash Hamilton and their astonishing initiative at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.
Interview with Dr.emily Carter, Pediatric Psychologist and Child Life Specialist
World-Today-News.com (WTN): Dr. Carter, the Hamilton’s initiative of providing Brave Gowns to young patients undergoing medical procedures in cincinnati Children’s Hospital has garnered notable attention. Can you elaborate on the psychological impact of these specially designed gowns on children?
Dr. Carter: Absolutely. The psychological impact of these gowns is substantial. Children facing medical procedures frequently experience significant anxiety and fear, stemming from the unknown, pain, and the overall disruption to their sense of normalcy.These brightly colored, fun gowns, featuring designs children can choose themselves—from superheroes to beloved animals—act as powerful tools in mitigating this anxiety. The act of choosing their own gown gives children a sense of control and agency in a situation were they often feel powerless. This small act of empowerment can have a tremendously positive effect on their emotional state and overall coping mechanisms before, during, and even after a medical procedure. This is crucial for a child’s overall well-being and ability to recover effectively.
WTN: The gowns themselves seem to be meticulously designed. Could you highlight the key features that contribute to their therapeutic benefits beyond simply being visually appealing?
Dr. Carter: The thoughtful design is integral to their therapeutic effect. Several features are key:
- Child-centric Designs: The vibrant colors and fun themes cater to a child’s developmental stage, providing visual stimulation and distraction.
- Comfort and Soft Material: The soft material provides a tactile comfort experience, frequently enough a necessity for anxious children.
- Secure and Easy-to-use Fasteners: Using plastic snaps instead of ties eliminates the anxiety and potential discomfort associated with dressing and undressing, especially for procedures requiring multiple dressing and undressing instances. This simple detail promotes independence for the child.
- MRI compatibility: The design’s compatibility with medical equipment is essential; it allows continuity of the positive experience throughout the medical course. The child does not need to remove their special gown, which helps to maintain comfort and reduce anxiety.
- Variety of Designs: This gives children a greater sense of control, allowing for self-expression and increasing a sense of normalcy.
These combined factors help create an habitat where young patients feel more pleasant,secure,and in control.
WTN: Beyond the immediate impact on the child, how does this initiative contribute to the overall hospital experience and the parent-child dynamic?
Dr. Carter: This initiative significantly impacts the overall hospital experience. for parents, witnessing their child’s reduced anxiety is incredibly reassuring and can foster trust in the healthcare team.The gowns alleviate stress not only for the children but also for their families during an otherwise exceptionally challenging time. This positive environment improves dialog, allowing parents and healthcare professionals to better support the child during the treatment. Further, improved emotional wellbeing leads to better treatment compliance and reduced lengths of hospital stays.
WTN: The community’s overwhelming response to the Hamilton’s appeal demonstrates how powerful collective acts of kindness can be. What advice would you give to hospitals or organizations looking to replicate this triumphant model of improving the pediatric in-patient experience?
Dr. Carter: For hospitals and organizations wanting to implement similar programs, I recommend the following steps:
- Partner with child life specialists: Their expertise in child advancement and hospital environments is invaluable in selecting and implementing appropriate interventions.
- Prioritize comfort: Comfortable gowns that are easy to put on and take off are significantly preferable.Prioritizing comfort will always improve the experience.
- Engage the community: Fostering community partnerships empowers fundraising and allows more children to benefit from similar initiatives.
- Assess and measure the impact: Tracking the program’s effectiveness improves processes, demonstrating impact and sustaining support.
WTN: Dr. Carter, what is the most significant takeaway from the success of the brave Gowns initiative, and what message would you like to convey to our readers?
Dr. Carter: The Brave Gowns initiative highlights that providing even small improvements to the pediatric hospital experience can have a huge positive impact on the overall well-being of patients during arduous times. Small acts of kindness, guided by compassion and a focus on patient comfort and wellbeing, can transform a child’s experience and strengthen the bonds between families and healthcare providers. I encourage all our readers to consider how they can contribute to efforts aimed at improving quality of life for children facing medical challenges.
Let’s continue this discussion! Share your thoughts and insights on the powerful impact of childhood initiatives in the comment section below. Also,help us spread awareness by sharing this interview!
The Unexpected Power of Play: How Child-Centric Design Transforms Pediatric Healthcare
Did you know that a simple hospital gown can significantly reduce a child’s anxiety and improve their overall hospital experience? this isn’t just a feel-good story; it’s a testament to the profound impact of thoughtful design and compassionate community engagement in pediatric healthcare.
World-Today-News.com (WTN): Dr. Anya Sharma, leading pediatric psychologist and hospital design expert, the recent initiative at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital using “Brave Gowns” has garnered significant attention. Can you elaborate on the psychological benefits of these specially designed gowns for young patients facing medical procedures?
Dr. Sharma: absolutely. The success of the Brave Gowns initiative underscores a crucial element frequently enough overlooked in pediatric healthcare: the importance of creating a comforting and empowering environment for young patients. These gowns, with their vibrant colors, playful designs, and child-kind features, go far beyond simply covering a child. They offer a significant psychological benefit by addressing several key anxieties children face in hospital settings. The ability to choose their own gown empowers children, giving them a sense of control amidst a situation that often feels entirely out of their hands. this simple act can dramatically reduce feelings of fear, helplessness, and distress.
WTN: The gowns themselves are meticulously designed. Can you highlight the key features that contribute to their therapeutic effectiveness, beyond just their visual appeal?
Dr. Sharma: The design elements are critical to the gowns’ success. Several features work synergistically to create a positive impact:
comfort and Sensory Stimulation: soft, high-quality fabrics provide tactile comfort, a crucial element for children who may be feeling vulnerable or anxious.Luminous colors and engaging designs act as visual stimuli,diverting attention away from potential distress.
Ease of Use and Independence: the use of secure plastic snaps, rather than ties, allows children to participate more actively in getting dressed and undressed. This promotes a sense of independence and self-sufficiency, further enhancing their feeling of control. This is especially important for procedures that may require multiple changes of clothing.
MRI Compatibility: The consideration of MRI compatibility is crucial. By ensuring the gown can be worn during various medical procedures, the positive association with the gown is maintained throughout the entire experience, creating a cohesive and comforting routine.
Design Diversity & Choice: The wide range of designs,catering to diverse interests,affords children the chance to express their individuality. This ability to personalize their hospital experience is invaluable in reducing feelings of depersonalization and isolation. The importance of providing options tailored to different age groups and developmental stages cannot be overstated.
WTN: Beyond the immediate impact on the child, how does this initiative influence the hospital experience for families and the parent-child dynamic?
Dr. Sharma: The positive impact extends significantly beyond the child. For parents,observing their child’s reduced anxiety and increased sense of control is incredibly reassuring. This improved emotional climate fosters trust between families and the healthcare team, facilitating open interaction and collaboration around the child’s care. The gowns become a positive point of connection, turning an often stressful experience into a moment of collaborative care and emotional affirmation. This fosters a more positive family-centered approach to hospital care.
WTN: What advice would you offer to other hospitals or organizations seeking to replicate this prosperous model?
Dr. Sharma: replicating the success of this initiative requires a multi-pronged approach:
- Collaborate with Child Life Specialists: Their expertise in child progress and the challenges of hospitalization is invaluable in designing and implementing child-oriented programs.
- Prioritize Patient-Centered Design: Engage in participatory design, input from children, parents, and healthcare professionals alike is vital for successful implementation.
- Embrace Community Partnerships: Community support adds critical resources, generates awareness, and reinforces a feeling of collective responsibility toward pediatric well-being.
- Measure and Evaluate the Impact: Regular evaluation of the program’s effects helps refine processes and provide data to support ongoing funding and expansion, demonstrating positive results in improving the patient experience.
WTN: What is the key takeaway from the “Brave Gowns” initiative and its profound influence on pediatric care?
Dr. Sharma: The most significant takeaway is that even seemingly small, thoughtful interventions can have a substantial and measurable positive impact on children’s emotional wellbeing during stressful medical experiences. This initiative demonstrates the power of design thinking,community engagement,and a patient-centered approach to transform pediatric healthcare. It’s a powerful example of how we can create a more positive, supportive, and compassionate environment for young patients and their families. Let’s continue to explore innovative ways to reduce anxieties and enhance the overall well-being of children in healthcare settings. Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!