Child Life part II

The Cincinnati Children's Hospital really does have an awesome child life department.  I cannot say this often enough.  We went through a similar test today that we had to do in Orlando.  It is a very uncomfortable test and when it was done in Orlando Samuel and I both cried.  I had to restrain him and try to get him to calm down while the nurses and radiologists did their jobs. 
Today I did have to restrain Samuel a little bit, but not for the the entire test.  The child life specialist had age appropriate toys to distract Samuel and after a few minutes he was talking, playing, and laughing all while the test was being done. 
I spoke with the child life specialist about the program.  This hospital does have a huge child life department.  Most hospitals don't have nearly the program that they have, and I am sure that most of it comes down to funding.  Even with the large department at this hospital, a specialist cannot see every child that could benefit so they have to prioritize.  The goal is to make the experience positive so that in the future the child will not be afraid.  It is such a great program in goal and in practice!