Help!
So, you are a kid with a chronic illness. I wonder how you feel about that? Sometimes
kids feel angry, sad or upset that they have an illness that makes them do things
so differently. Other kids tell us that they just get used to the illness, and realize
that it does not change how they do most things. Here are a couple of ideas of things
you can do to help yourself deal with your chronic illness.
1. Draw a picture of your illness
This might seem trite or childish, but art therapy is a very useful tool in helping
people cope with significant changes in their lives.
How it works can be simple.
Close your eyes and try to picture what your illness
would look like if it were a thing. Draw a picture of that using the colors
that you see in your mind.
Send your pictures to
Kathy Davis, MSEd, PhD
KUMC
3901 Rainbow Blvd. MS4003
Kansas City, KS 66160
We might put yours
the website! The artwork we have received has been simply outstanding! Don't forget
to inclde your name and the name of your illness.
2. Make a list of all of the things that make you who you are
Write down everything that makes you unique.
- List school, sports, hobbies, friends;
- the things you like to do;
- the things you do well;
- your eyes, hair, smile, thinkg people notice about you;
- things about you that make you proud;
- things that
you would like to change;
- everything and anything that you can think of.
Now, look
at where you listed your illness. I bet it was not at the top of the list. That
is because you are a whole lot more than your illness. It is only a little part
of what makes you YOU!
3. Helping each other
You are
probably learning a lot of new stuff about living with a chronic illness, how to
take care of yourself, how to teach others about your illness and much, much more. Wouldn't it be great to share your thoughts with other kids and help them
cope with their own illnesses?
a. Write a story
Write a story about your experience with a chronic illness. Include as many details
as you can about being diagnosed, your treatment, how to survive life in the hospital,
what friends and family do that helps, and any thing else you can think of that
might help another kid going through a similar experience. Then,
e-mail me your story and we might put it on the website! Don't forget to include
your first name and age.
I can't wait to read your story!
[webmaster comment — I remember in my pediatric residency a young man who used a water gun on a senior attending physician.
Not many people could have gotten away with that! Stories like that mischevious
episode make great stress relievers
- JG]
b. Make a List
When you go back to school with a chronic illness, everyone is happy to see you
and eager to help you out. Some of that help is great, but some may be more than
you want. Make a list of the things that kids, teachers, family members and others
did for you that was particularly helpful. Then, make a list of the things that
you wish they had NOT done.
E-mail me the lists, and we might put them
on the website. You will be teaching lots of people how to help their friends who
have a chronic illness. Don't worry, we won't put your name on it, so you won't
be embarrassed.
For more information, please contact:
Kathy Davis, MSEd, PhD
kdavis2@kumc.edu
(913) 588-6305