Okay as many of you guys know Austin, my little boy, was admitted last week for level 1 testing at our local children hospital in their EMU ward and he was there for 5 days. While we were there we got to go the playroom they had there for the EMU kids, one of the play coordinators was there she apologized as to how few toys there were there in the playroom, she said we are kinda like the stepkids of the hospital we get all the left over toys...I was sad for the kids because there very few toys there and not much to play with. So when I got home I got to work I emailed everyone I knew and asked for donations for the playroom and most people were so excited to donate.....but here is one responce I got, I dont know this person...but am I letting you know this letter had me fuming, maybe it is just me cause Im so sleep derprived and still catching up on my sleep..let me know if Im way off base....



Kim,
I haven't met you (I don't think) but my background is in Psychology and Education. I am wondering if the children all played so well because of the lack of toy selection. Children, under mental and/or physical (due to illness) stress, have a tendency to do better with less. Their mind is already on overload as they are trying to deal with their illness and accepting that they are different from others. Your witness to the harmony between them is proof that they are coping by helping each other and not having to decide which toy they should play with next. I think the toy drive is a great idea and one that I will joyfully participate in. It sounds like they could use an update in their toy selection. However, I wanted to let you know that sometimes less is not necessarily a pitfall under certain circumstances. Thanks so much for sharing your compassionate idea with others.
In His care, /Patty
"...and I shall continue being happy because I know this will help to save me." Philippians 1:19



okay huh!!!!!

thanks to all of you who made it through this whole letter

Kimberley

Kimberly--
I don't think your "off base" in your thinking at all. Personally, her reply didn't make a whole lot of sense, lol.

Something i did thing of though, was how about emailing the hospital child life director, mentioning you saw a need for more activities for the children in that unit and ask if there are any ways you can help. I know you are doing a toy drive--- which is wonderful, but sometimes hospitals have certain things they can and can not accept donation wise (I work as a child life volunteer in a hospital in my area) and what their policies are so that you can get a better feel for things (ei-- some hospitals will not accept used stuffed animals, certain types of games, etc for various reasons).....

Good Luck !

L2L

Thanks girl,

When we were there the playcoordinator told me all the stuff they were allowed to have, things that can be washed etc...no stuffed animals, they are looking for DVDs, books, board games, baby toys are older toys such as legos etc.

Yeah, I agree she kind of gave her opinion on one thing when it really wasn't asked for.

Call me old fashioned, but I don't care the state of mind a child is in - it's a child and all children should have access to toys, and lots of them! That's what kids do, they play!

I'll humor her for a moment, and guess the kids probably interact more in her eyes because there's nothing else for them to do. I'm willing to bet if there were toys and games several children can play with or participate in, the result would be the same.

I'd suggest finding some nice Occupational and Physical Therapists, they always have awesome toys or access to discounts on awesome toys that are also beneficial in some ways. I was lucky growing up as my mom was an OT and got me a lot of those toys that helped me out. I'm sure she didn't name me Grace for a reason (LOL) and my fine motor skills, memory, balance, and all of those things were 'off' for lack of better words.

There's a lot of the good wooden things. Like the magnetic wooden mazes (has two attached pens and magnetic balls inside the puzzle). Those wooden roller coaster bead thingies (lots of offices use them, they're easy to clean).

Found a website: http://www.therapyshoppe.com/index.php
Looks like they sell to the public, too!

[B]o.k. she just proved to me why I don't like psychologists! Analyzing every little thing!! I agree with everything Ellie had to say about her e-mail. You and your little boy are in my thoughts and prayers! Take Care!

It does sound like she was talking garbage.

If the hospital docs agreed with her, they would refuse to accept new toys.