Hero Badge

One of the things that’s hardest to understand about having a child with a chronic health condition is how even painful rituals can become occasions for joy. Here is an example:

Early on, we had to take my daughter to the hospital every week for a blood draw. She was just three years old so it was scary and painful to have a stranger jab her arm or finger. (It was scary and painful for her parents, too.)

As time went by, though, getting a ‘poke’ has become a family ritual that, strangely enough, puts us all in a good mood. The kids jump over the gaps in the carpet in the long hall on the way to the lab. They look forward to coloring and to having us read to them while we wait. They laugh and play and we have to remind them to be respectful of how other patients may be feeling.

Once we are in the lab room, the procedure itself is a familiar routine. My daughter is used to putting a ‘hot water bottle’ on her finger to plump up the veins. We read to her to distract her and talk about which special band-aid she wants. We always prompt her to thank the technician.

Most of all, she likes choosing ‘hero’ badges to give to the rest of the family. Of course she deserves the label more than any of us, but it makes her feel strong and proud to be providing for the family. What could be healthier than that?