Celebrating Child Life Month - Seite 3

In addition to being a child life specialist, I am also a licensed school counselor. By having the background in two helping professions that focus on children and building positive coping skills,

"I can confidently say that the My Special Aflac Duck program is the most impactful program I have ever witnessed. It is so apparent that every aspect of the program was thoughtfully designed to help children and families with cancer and blood disorders."

I wish more people understood the value of taking the time to meet a child and/or family where they are. As a society, I believe we live in an age where we want the fastest and easiest way to make people "better." To truly connect and help someone, however, it is essential to hear their perspective and navigate their circumstances on their specific terms. My Special Aflac Duck does this by involving child life in the program and allowing us to create a safe space for families to share their stories and have a supportive connection who can answer any questions or concerns they may have.

Being a child life specialist for over 10 years, I have worked with countless organizations and nonprofits. I can confidently say that the My Special Aflac Duck program is the most impactful program I have ever witnessed. It is so apparent that every aspect of the program was thoughtfully designed to help children and families with cancer and blood disorders. After speaking with the families I serve in this program, I often see them take a literal sigh of relief. It not only provides such an amazing therapeutic toy for children, but creates a feeling that families feel seen and heard.

April Slowenski, Certified Child Life Specialist
Direct to Family Distribution

I always knew I wanted to help children and families, but I wasn't quite sure in what capacity. I explored teaching and nursing, and I learned of the child life profession by chance. Once I did, it felt like a lightbulb went off above my head - I knew immediately it was what I wanted to do. I changed schools to pursue my child life degree a week later!

I love how resilient humans are, both children and their families. There is something so magical about seeing someone go from "I can't do this," to "I'm doing it!" to "I did it!" Knowing I've had a small part in helping them to build their coping skills and resilience in the face of challenges is so rewarding.

I can't think of a family I've worked with in this program that hasn't benefited from My Special Aflac Duck - the impact is huge. I've had parents crying happy tears with excitement to receive their duck because they know it is going to have a huge positive impact on their child's ability to cope and process their medical experiences. They know the duck will not only help in the moment, but it will be a support for their long-term coping and positive development.